Lions Sign LB Kelvin Sheppard, Add DE Alex Barrett To PS

The Detroit Lions announced Wednesday that they’ve signed veteran LB Kelvin Sheppard to a contract.

• The Lions also signed DE Alex Barrett to their practice squad and released TE Jerome Cunningham from the unit.

Here’s the Lions updated practice squad:

1. CB Mike Ford
2. WR Chris Lacy
3. QB Jake Rudock
4. DT John Atkins
5. C Leo Koloamatangi
6. G Jamil Demby
7. CB Dee Virgin
8. TE Hakeem Valles
9. LB Garrett Dooley
10. DE Alex Barrett

Detroit worked out Sheppard multiple times including earlier in the week, so he was clearly on their radar as a potential addition.

Sheppard, 30, is a former third-round pick of the Bills back in 2011. He lasted over two years in Buffalo before he was traded to the Colts in return for DE Jerry Hughes.

Sheppard lasted just over a year in Indianapolis before he waived at the start of the 2014 season before signing on with the Dolphins at the start of the 2014 season. Sheppard had brief stints with the Giants and Bears before returning to New York in November of last year.

In 2017, Sheppard appeared in seven games for the Giants and recorded 49 tackles, two interceptions and four pass defenses.