Detroit Lions elevate Tyson Alualu, Bruce Irvin for Saturday's game vs. Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, Texas - Tyson Alualu will make his Detroit Lions debut Saturday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Lions elevated Alualu from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday, adding veteran depth to a defensive line that remains without top tackle Alim McNeill.
A first-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010, Alualu joined the Lions practice squad in early December after sitting out the first three months of the season. He played in 17 games and made two starts for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.
"Definitely itching to get back and play some real football," Alualu told the Free Press this week. "That’s different in practice, trying to simulate that feeling, and really just excited and just want to make the most of this opportunity."
The Lions (11-4) wanted to get Alualu game action before the playoffs, to make sure he's ready for the postseason. And the 36-year-old Alualu adds fresh legs and experience to an interior line that has struggled most of the season to generate a push.
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The Lions also elevated edge rusher Bruce Irvin and tight end Anthony Firkser from practice squad to the gameday roster Saturday and re-signed cornerback Chase Lucas to the practice squad.
Firkser should play as the No. 3 tight end, with Brock Wright out with a hip injury.
Irvin is out of practice squad elevations. To play again this season, the Lions will need to sign him to the 53-man roster.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions elevate Tyson Alualu, Bruce Irvin vs. Dallas Cowboys
