The Detroit Lions released cornerback Natrone Brooks from the practice squad Monday and signed undrafted rookie tight end Miles Kitselman to the same unit one day after a 31-24 home win over the New York Jets.
The team announced the moves in a social media post: “Lions have released DB Natrone Brooks from the Practice Squad and signed TE Miles Kitselman to the Practice Squad.”
Brooks, 26, joined Detroit’s practice squad on Sept. 10 after the Atlanta Falcons waived him at the end of training camp. The undrafted Southern Miss product spent his first three professional seasons with Atlanta after signing as a college free agent in 2023.
He appeared in 26 regular-season games for the Falcons, including 17 last season with one start. Brooks recorded 15 career tackles and three pass deflections. In 2025 he posted 10 tackles while also returning 15 kickoffs for 288 yards.
The transaction comes as Detroit continues to manage a depleted secondary. Starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph began the season on the physically unable to perform list and remain ineligible to play until at least Week 5.
Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles suffered last December. Joseph has been dealing with a degenerative knee condition that limited him to six games in 2025.
The Lions placed veteran defensive back Avonte Maddox on injured reserve after he suffered a foot injury in the Week 2 loss at Buffalo. Maddox requires season-ending surgery. Safety Thomas Harper also landed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, missing at least four games.
Detroit elevated safety Jalen Mills from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Jets. The 32-year-old veteran signed with the practice squad earlier in the week.
Mills has also played for the New England Patriots, New York Jets and Houston Texans. He won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia after the 2017 season.
The open practice-squad spot went to Kitselman, a 6-foot-5, 251-pound tight end from Tennessee. The Lions originally signed him as an undrafted free agent after the 2026 draft. He spent time with the organization in the spring and summer before an injury settlement removed him from the roster.
Kitselman played two seasons at Tennessee after transferring from Alabama and beginning his career at Hutchinson Community College. In 24 games with the Volunteers he caught 48 passes for 554 yards and six touchdowns. He also scored once on the ground.
Kitselman ran a 4.90-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He recorded a 34.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-8 broad jump.
Detroit improved to 2-1 with Sunday’s victory. Jahmyr Gibbs accounted for three touchdowns, rushing for 99 yards and two scores while adding seven catches for 65 yards and another touchdown. The Lions host Carolina next Sunday.
The practice-squad shuffle reflects ongoing efforts to add depth at tight end behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright while the secondary works through multiple absences. Practice squad players can be elevated for up to three games before a team must decide on a full roster promotion.
Brooks is now a free agent and can sign with any club. Kitselman becomes eligible for elevation as early as this week.
