Lions officially add WR Fruechte, LB Steve Longa to practice squad

The Detroit Lions now have a complete practice squad after confirming the additions of the final two players on Monday afternoon. The Lions announced that they have added wide receiver Isaac Fruechte and linebacker Steve Longa to the practice squad.

Fruechte comes from the Minnesota Vikings after joining their team as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He spent the entire year on the Vikings’ practice squad. In college, Fruechte was a receiver for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, but never made much of an impact. His best year was in 2012, when he caught 19 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns.

Longa adds depth to a barren linebacker position. After Sunday’s surprising announcement of Josh Bynes headed to the injured reserve list, the Lions are left extremely shorthanded at linebacker. Longa went undrafted this year and spent some time with the Seattle Seahawks. A former Rutgers Scarlet Knight, Longa was a tackling machine in college. In all three years at Rutgers, Longa tallied at least 100 tackles.

Longa is a bit undersized at the pro level, sitting at just 6-foot-1, 241 pounds, but his college production and special teams abilities make him a somewhat valuable addition to the practice squad.

Here are the Lions’ now confirmed 10 players on the practice squad:

• QB Jake Rudock
• RB George Winn
• WR TJ Jones
• WR Jace Billingsley
• WR Isaac Fruechte
• OL Brandon Thomas
• TE Brian Leonhardt
• CB Alex Carter
• DB Charles Washington
• LB Steve Longa