Lions Sign KJ Britt From Patriots Practice Squad
Detroit adds 6-foot, 240-pound linebacker as injuries mount during its 5-2 start.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
The Detroit Lions signed linebacker KJ Britt from the New England Patriots practice squad. The move adds depth after several Lions players were hurt in a win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Why it matters
Injuries to Jack Campbell, Cade Mays, Brian Branch and DJ Wonnum thinned the Lions' roster during a tight NFC North race with Minnesota. Britt gives the team a physical presence to help against the run and in pass defense.
Britt was selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay and has one solo tackle in one game with New England this season. He stands 6-foot and weighs 240 pounds, while the extent and duration of the Lions' injuries remain unclear.
The players
KJ Britt
Britt is a linebacker from Auburn University who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are an NFL franchise based in Detroit that competes in the NFC North division.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are an NFL franchise based in Foxborough, Massachusetts, that Britt played for on its practice squad.
The details
Britt is joining Detroit's active roster from the Patriots' practice squad, a move that follows injuries sustained in the Lions' win over Minnesota. Brian Branch and DJ Wonnum entered the league's concussion protocol in Week 8, while Jack Campbell was hurt against the Vikings.
Timeline
Week 8: Brian Branch and DJ Wonnum enter the league's concussion protocol.
November 8: The Lions play the Miami Dolphins.
Season Trajectory
Detroit's 5-2 start places it in a close NFC North contest with Minnesota, where depth at linebacker can affect standings in the division race. Adding a veteran defender with some NFL experience helps the Lions manage injuries during the stretch run.
Britt's addition gives Detroit an extra linebacker while Campbell, Mays, Branch and Wonnum recover. Fans tracking the Lions' depth chart will watch how the rotation shifts before the Dolphins game.
The takeaway
Injuries are a regular part of the season, and roster depth often decides close division races. Watch the injury reports ahead of the Miami game to see how Detroit's linebacker group is handling the stretch.
What happens next
The Lions face the Miami Dolphins on November 8.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Detroit football coverage.
