Detroit Lions Signed Safety Bishop Fitzgerald
The team added the rookie safety to the 53-man roster after placing Avonte Maddox on injured reserve.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Football
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The Detroit Lions signed rookie safety Bishop Fitzgerald to their active roster from the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. The move comes as the team addresses needs in the secondary following the loss of Avonte Maddox.
Why it matters
The Lions required additional depth in the secondary to maintain their defensive integrity for the remainder of the season. Avonte Maddox is expected to miss the rest of the year after being placed on injured reserve.
Bishop Fitzgerald joins the 53-man active roster after spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad and the Tennessee Titans. The Lions also released linebacker Joe Bachie to clear space for the new addition.
The players
Bishop Fitzgerald
He is a rookie safety who entered the league as an undrafted free agent.
Avonte Maddox
He is a professional defensive back who was placed on the Detroit Lions injured reserve list.
Detroit Lions
They are a professional football team competing in the National Football League.
Pittsburgh Steelers
They are a professional football franchise based in Pennsylvania.
Tennessee Titans
They are a professional football organization that originally signed Fitzgerald as an undrafted free agent.
The details
The Detroit Lions secured Fitzgerald to bolster their secondary after placing defensive back Avonte Maddox on injured reserve. To facilitate the signing, the organization released linebacker Joe Bachie from the active roster.
Timeline
Aug. 30, 2026: The Tennessee Titans waived Bishop Fitzgerald.
Sept. 2, 2026: The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Fitzgerald to their practice squad.
Sept. 22, 2026: The Detroit Lions signed Fitzgerald to their 53-man roster.
Season Trajectory
This roster move is constrained by the NFL 53-man active roster limit, which dictates how many players a team can carry during the regular season. The team must constantly balance depth needs across the secondary and linebacking corps to remain competitive as the season progresses.
The departure of Joe Bachie leaves a vacancy in the linebacker depth chart that could shift rotation assignments for the upcoming game. Fantasy managers monitoring Lions defensive stats should note that Fitzgerald may see limited immediate snaps in the secondary.
The takeaway
Roster fluidity is a standard operational reality for NFL teams navigating mid-season injuries to key contributors. Fans and analysts should track how these depth acquisitions impact defensive efficiency throughout the remaining schedule.
Further reading
For more on the latest team updates, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by INSIDENOVA.
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