Detroit Lions sign DE Earl Okine to practice squad

The wait is finally over. The Detroit Lions have finally done it. Their savoir at defensive end is finally here.

Okay, I’m overplaying this by a lot, but on Monday the Lions announced they signed defensive end Earl Okine to their practice squad.

Okine went undrafted from Florida in 2013 and has since spent some time on the Texans, Colts and Chiefs and even played a little in the Arena Football League. As a Gator, Okine had just 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 42 game appearances.

He’s only seen action once in his NFL career, playing five games for the Colts in 2015, recording just five tackles. Since then, he has hung around on Indianapolis’ and Kansas City’s practice squad. He was released by the Chiefs in their final round of cuts this weekend. Here’s what our friends at Arrowhead Pride had to say about the move:

This isn’t a stunner or anything but he was an interesting prospect because of his size - 6’6 and 290 pounds. The Chiefs have yet to activate Tamba Hali from the PUP list so if he stays on it for the start of the regular season there would be an open roster spot at pass rusher. I wondered if Okine or Marcus Rush could potentially claim that spot.

To make room for Okine on the practice squad, the Lions announced they have released Derrick Lott. Lott was added to the team just a week ago, and was a standout in the team’s preseason finale. He led all defensive linemen with seven tackles (2 TFLs) against the Bills.