The Lions are now in desperate need of safety help, here are 4 starting-caliber guys they can get right now

Four former starters that the Lions can go get right now

Mike Payton — Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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The Detroit Lions got some bad news on Friday. Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch is out for the season with a torn Achilles. To top it off, Kerby Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury all season, and while it looks like he may play next week against the Rams, we don’t know for sure.

Lost in the mix is that Thomas Harper is now out with a concussion he suffered on Thursday. We’ll see if he’s ready to be back next week.

The Lions have just one safety on the 53-man roster beyond that, veteran Daniel Thomas. On the practice squad, they have Erick Hallet and Loren Strickland. If they hope to make some noise down the stretch and potentially in the playoffs, they need some help there.

Here are four guys they can get right now.

Richie Grant

It will require the Lions to poach from the Patriots’ practice squad, but Richie Grant is a solid vet who’s played 68 regular-season games and started 33.

In New England, he’s just behind some better players. In Detroit, he has a chance to start, given where the Lions are with injuries. Grant can also bring some real pass-rush help. He was good in that area in his four seasons with the Falcons.

Darnell Savage

The former Packers starter was just released by the Commanders on Thursday. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Lions put in a claim on him. Even if they don’t, they may try to get him if he clears waivers, since this is a guy they have tape on and they’re familiar with.

Darnell Savage has played 95 regular-season games and started 82. He’s played 10 games this year — eight for the Commanders and two for the Jaguars. Let’s see what he has left in the tank.

Juan Thornhill

Another veteran that the Lions would have to poach off a practice squad. This time, it would be from the Jaguars. Juan Thornhill helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls as a starter before heading to the AFC North to play for the Browns and Steelers.

Pittsburgh released him a few weeks ago, and he wound up on Jacksonville’s practice squad. In Detroit, he can play right away.

Justin Simmons

The former All-Pro has not played this season but is looking for a new home. There’s been some noise about him potentially signing with the Texans, but no deal has been done.

Perhaps the Lions can swoop in and grab him on a short-term deal and get him back into football shape just in time for the last few games and the playoffs. Justin Simmons might not be the All-Pro version of himself, but he can be a strong veteran help for a team that needs all the help it can get.

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