Lions signing former long-time Rams linebacker to compete for Alex Anzalone’s old role
Detroit Lions are adding veteran linebacker Troy Reeder just before training camp. The move could have a bigger impact on the bottom of the roster than it first appears.
The Detroit Lions are bringing in a familiar NFL veteran just before training camp gets underway. Detroit will sign former Los Angeles Rams linebacker Troy Reeder, according to his agency. The move adds another body to a linebacker room that already features a competitive battle for the weakside spot between Malcolm Rodriguez and rookie Jimmy Rolder.
Reeder has been in the league since 2019 and brings 106 regular-season games of experience to the table, with 38 starts to his name. He spent six seasons with the Rams and was part of their Super Bowl-winning team in 2021. He also spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and had a brief stint on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.
What happened to Reeder in Los Angeles?
Reeder graded out well during his first run with the Rams, when he was getting a significant number of defensive snaps. His second stint in Los Angeles started promisingly, but a hamstring injury in 2024 cost him the rest of that season. In 2025, he fell behind the competition on the Rams’ depth chart, playing just 85 snaps on defense. He was buried behind Omar Speights at inside linebacker, and when he hit free agency, the Rams decided not to bring him back.
What does this mean for the Lions’ linebacker room?
Here’s the thing. I don’t think this signing changes much for Rolder’s trajectory. At this point, Rolder should be considered the favorite to win that weakside linebacker job. Rodriguez might start things off with the first-team reps when camp opens, but I would expect Rolder to grab the starting role before the regular season begins.
The real value Reeder brings is on special teams. That’s where he has played the majority of his snaps throughout his career, and he’s been a pretty solid contributor in that phase of the game. When you get down to the bottom of the linebacker room and you’re talking about the fifth or sixth guy on the 53-man roster, you’re not necessarily looking for someone who can be a difference-maker on defense. You’re looking for guys who can play well on special teams. Reeder fits that profile.
Who gets released to make room?
This is something we don’t have an answer for yet. Despite Brian Branch, Tyler Conklin, and Kerby Joseph all landing on the PUP list recently, those players still count toward the 90-man roster. That means Detroit will need a corresponding move to make room for Reeder. We just don’t know what it is.
The bigger question is how many linebackers the Lions want to carry when they trim the roster down to 53. Do they keep four? Five? Six? If Reeder can prove his worth on special teams during the preseason, he absolutely has a shot at sticking around on the back end of the roster. We’ll see how it plays out once camp gets rolling.
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