Lions Sign Couplin, Release Powell
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Lions signed safety Jerome Couplin to their practice squad Wednesday and released running back William Powell. Couplin had been cut by the Lions before the team flew to London on Monday night. Powell had made the trip.
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell explained the transactions.
"In terms of practice, we have to really [be] at our best in terms of making certain that we get a look on both sides, and then in case if anything happens, obviously we need to be positioned to be able to adjust properly according to what our injury status is at different positions," Caldwell said. "It's a difficult thing to do, and you certainly don't want to do it. A guy just gets here, and within 48 hours he's heading back home, but that's kind of the nature of our business. The guys understand it, and I think if you're up front and tell him exactly why, what the reasons are, it's a bitter pill to swallow but they understand."
The Lions had released Couplin from the 53-man roster Monday to make room for Kellen Davis, who gives Detroit some much-needed depth at tight end because both Eric Ebron and Joe Fauria have missed games due to injury and Brandon Pettigrew played despite injury in the team's last game.
Ebron, Fauria and Pettigrew were all absent the portion of Wednesday's practice open to media, according to multiple reports.
Couplin, a rookie, has played in seven games for Detroit this season, mostly on special teams.
