The Detroit Lions moved quickly to keep veteran tight end Tyler Conklin in the building. After releasing him Sunday when the roster was trimmed to 53, Detroit signed him Tuesday to the active roster, placing running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a back injury.
Offensive lineman Elijah Klein and wide receiver Dominic Lovett filled the last two practice-squad spots.
The sequence looked like classic NFL roster math. Conklin, 31, is a vested veteran, so he did not have to clear waivers. Reports indicated Detroit always intended to bring him back after the deadline.
Early speculation floated a practice-squad return; the official transaction put him on the 53-man roster instead, giving the Lions four tight ends: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Jackson Meeks, and Conklin. Thomas Gordon remains on the practice squad.
Conklin signed with Detroit in March after one season with the Los Angeles Chargers. A Chesterfield native and Central Michigan product, he was a fifth-round pick by Minnesota in 2018 and later produced four straight seasons of at least 51 catches with the Vikings and Jets.
Last year in Los Angeles, he had a quiet 7-catch, 101-yard campaign. Career totals entering 2026: 270 receptions, 2,645 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 127 games.
He missed much of the spring and early camp with a calf injury and spent time on the physically unable to perform list before returning in August.
With LaPorta still the clear starter and Wright the trusted blocker, Conklin’s value is depth, experience, and the ability to play in 12- and 13-personnel packages that new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is expected to use. The room needed bodies after other tight ends, including Anthony Firkser, were lost to injury during camp.
Pacheco’s placement on injured reserve creates the roster space and sidelines him at least four games. For Conklin, the move is a second chance in his home state after a brief, planned departure.
He is not expected to leapfrog LaPorta or Wright, but he gives Detroit a reliable extra body if injuries hit or if the offense wants more two- and three-tight-end looks.
Week 1 is approaching. Conklin is back on the 53, available immediately, and part of a tight end group built for versatility rather than star power alone.
The Lions used a cut-and-re-sign maneuver to keep a familiar veteran without losing him to another team. For a player who grew up in the area and played college ball in the state, that is a clean landing after a messy 48 hours on paper.
