Lions claim CB Lenzy Pipkins, cut Marquis Flowers

The Detroit Lions have reportedly made a move in the face of being beaten up in the secondary. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Lions have claimed cornerback Lenzy Pipkins and cut Marquis Flowers to make room for him.

Pipkins went undrafted in 2017, but joined the Green Bay Packers and ended up making their 53-man squad despite the team drafting several defensive backs that year. Pipkins made 12 game appearances that year, and even started in the season finale against the Detroit Lions.

Prior to 2018 roster cuts, the Packers traded Pipkins to the Colts for linebacker Antonio Morrison. Shorly thereafter, Pipkins was demoted to the team’s practice squad. However, he was promoted to the team’s active roster last week, and even started for the team against the Patriots on Thursday night. The team must not have been happy with his performance, or were hoping to stash him back on the practice squad.

For Detroit, Pipkins comes in to help an injury-filled secondary. Quandre Diggs is still dealing with a playable broken hand, Tavon Wilson missed last game with a back injury, and Jamal Agnew suffered what the Lions are fearing is a long-term injury.

Pipkins is a versatile corner that can play the inside, outside and is decent in run support. Here’s what the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had to say about him after last season:

One of his points of emphasis for Pettine and pass game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. is the versatility to play both inside and outside, which is arguably Pipkins’ most valuable trait in an offseason when the Packers shipped their best slot corner, Damarious Randall, to the Cleveland Browns. At 6 feet and 202 pounds, Pipkins is physical enough to contribute in run support while still possessing enough speed (4.46 seconds) to cover receivers and influence the game as a blitzer, something he wants to do more. That fellow cornerbacks Kevin King, Tramon Williams and Davon House are all better suited for the perimeter means Pipkins should get his chance to audition for the nickel spot in the coming months.

Luckily for Pipkins and the Lions, they’ll have an extra week to get things in order, as the Lions are currently on their bye week.