Detroit Lions Sign Alabama Alum to Practice Squad

The Detroit Lions signed former Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher to their practice squad early Thursday afternoon. In order to make room for Pierschbacher, the Lions released tackle Darrin Paulo off of their practice squad. Pierschbacher can also be elevated to the active gameday roster throughout the season.

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The Lions made the move to add depth to a wounded offensive line. Starting offensive guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai is dealing with a back injury that has placed him on injury reserve, forcing him to sit out the first four games of the upcoming season. His backup, Tommy Kraemer is dealing with a back injury that has prevented him from practicing the past two days. In addition to Kraemer and Vaitai's injuries, starting center Frank Ragnow is also working through a groin injury that kept him from participating in practice on Thursday.

Pierschbacher was a 4-star recruit from Cedar Falls, Iowa in the 2014 recruiting class that was ranked number 1 in the nation per 247sports. Pierschbacher was a part of a class that featured stars such as Marlon Humphrey, Cam Robinson, Shaun Dion Hamilton, and Bo Scarbrough. Pierschbacher won two National Titles (2015, 2017) during his time in Tuscaloosa. He also was awarded First-Team All-SEC in 2017 and 2018 and Second-Team All-SEC in 2016.

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Pierschbacher was selected 153rd overall in the 2019 NFL draft by the then-Washington Redskins. He spent his first two seasons in Washington before being signed off of the Washington practice squad by the Philadelphia Eagles in December of 2020.

On August 31st, 2021 he was released by the Eagles; later that day he was signed to the Eagles practice squad. On September 9th he was released. The very next day the New York Jets signed Pierschbacher to the practice squad. He later signed a futures/reserves contract with the Jets in January of 2022. He was waived by the team on August 30th. He has most recently signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad.

We hope for Ross to continue his NFL career and become a main piece on a team's offensive line one day. This is just the next step in Pierschbacher's NFL journey.