Yesterday it was reported that the Detroit Lions were planning on signing safety Alijah Holder and tight end Charlie Taumoepeau, and this morning the team has confirmed the report, as well as announcing a third signing of nickelback Alex Brown. All three were try-out players during last weekend’s rookie mini-camp.
This isn’t the first time Brown has impressed a team after a tryout. After going undrafted out of South Carolina State in 2019, he had a try-out with the San Francisco 49ers and made their 90-man roster after mini-camp. He was eventually waived by the 49ers but was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles, who also waived him after two weeks of training camp. Once again Brown was claimed, this time by the New York Jets, but was waived at cut downs.
After spending his rookie offseason with three teams, Brown joined the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad for the regular season. During the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run, Brown was promoted to the active roster in December, playing in the final three games of the regular season, as well as all three playoff games.
In 2020, Brown tore his ACL in training camp, missed the season, and was not re-signed. Less than nine months later, he was healthy enough to participate in Lions’ rookie mini-camp and earned another shot in the NFL.
At mini-camp, Brown worked primarily out of the slot and was the starter at nickelback in team situations.
Including the three signings announced by the team today, the Lions now have 89 players under contract, leaving one spot open on their 90-man roster.
