The Detroit Lions will be without safety Brian Branch in Week 7 because of a punch he threw against the Kansas City Chiefs following the team’s matchup on October 12. Ironically, to help replace Branch, who will be serving a one-game suspension, the Lions turned to former Chiefs practice squad safety Jammie Robinson.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday night the Lions signed Robinson to a one-year deal.
Branch officially lost the appeal for his one-game suspension Wednesday. Fowler’s report that the Lions were signing Robinson surfaced less than an hour later.
After spending training camp with the Arizona Cardinals, Robinson signed with the Chiefs practice squad on August 29. He didn’t appear in a game for Kansas City.
Robinson posted 20 combined tackles in 21 games with the Carolina Panthers from 2023-24.
Robinson could play a significant role for the depleted Lions secondary in Week 7. Detroit could be missing several cornerbacks and safety Kerby Joseph, along with Branch, when the team faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football.
Lions Sign Jammie Robinson From Chiefs Practice Squad: Report
With Robinson, the Lions are adding a safety the Panthers selected at No. 145 overall in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
As a rookie, Robinson played 70% of Carolina’s snaps on special teams during the 15 games in which he dressed. The safety also started two contests for the Panthers that season.
But in 2024, Robinson saw his playing time greatly diminish. He only appeared in six contests during 2024. Furthermore, Robinson played a fewer percentage of snaps on defense and special teams in those six contests.
Overall, he lined up for 366 special teams snaps and 75 defensive snaps for Carolina over two years. He hasn’t played in a game this season.
Robinson played two years for South Carolina and two seasons at Florida State during his college career. In 47 games, he registered 319 combined tackles, including 15.5 tackles for loss. Robinson also had 16 pass defenses, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and a sack.
He had a career-best four interceptions for Florida State in 2021. During his final college season in 2022, he recorded 99 combined tackles with five pass defenses and one interception.
Lions Will Have Depleted Secondary Against Baker Mayfield
While Robinson has mostly played special teams in his NFL career, there’s a strong chance he could see action on Detroit’s defense during his team debut Monday.
Cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Avonte Maddox missed Week 6 because of injuries. Furthermore, cornerbacks Khalil Dorsey, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and D.J. Reed are all on injured reserve.
Additionally, safety Kerby Joseph is dealing with a knee injury. Joseph was questionable entering Week 6 and left Sunday night against the Chiefs.
With all of those question marks, Robinson might not just play on Detroit’s defense in Week 7, but the Lions might need him for extended snaps.
Robinson started in Weeks 9 and 10 during his rookie 2023 season. In Week 9, he played a career-high 25 defensive snaps. Robinson has played at least 10 defensive snaps in just four games during his career.
Last season, Robinson lined up for all 11 of his defensive snaps for the season in one game — Week 3 versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
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