Former Ravens CB has found a new home in Detroit

Seasoned cornerback and former Baltimore Ravens fourth-round pick in 2018, Anthony Averett, has reportedly joined the Detroit Lions practice squad ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network first reported the news late Tuesday, citing sources.

Right after that, the very own Detroit Lions confirmed the report on X (formerly known as Twitter).

During the 2023 offseason, Averett joined the 49ers to spend time in San Francisco through their camp, but a week after signing he found himself placed on Injured Reserve.

Following this setback, he reached an injury settlement with the Niners and was officially released in mid-August. Now that he has signed another deal with an NFL team, it's fair to assume the former Raven is healthy enough, recovered, and available to play again.

Averett brings valuable experience to Detroit, particularly in the role of an outside corner as he's already spent five years around the NFL since he got drafted in 2018 coming out of Alabama.

Averett has accumulated a total of 27 starts while appearing in 51 games across five seasons from 2018 through 2022. He split those years between the Ravens (four) and Raiders (last season).

Drafted in the fourth round in 2018, Averett has truly gone through some highs and lows. Notably, in his most active season in 2021, he started all 14 games he played for Baltimore while racking up 54 tackles and intercepting three passes while deflecting 11 more.

However, despite these statistics, PFF graded him with a rather middling coverage grade of 55.0 reasoning that low figure under his 739 yards and three touchdowns surrendered in pass plays in which he was targeted.

Injuries have been a recurring challenge for Averett. Last season with the Raiders, he landed on IR twice, and a similar scenario unfolded earlier this year during the offseason when he was with the Niners.

The timing of Averett's signing aligns with Detroit's current need for reinforcements in the secondary and the need for veterans to lead the room if only during practices.

The recent injury to Emmanuel Moseley, who suffered a torn ACL on Sunday, along with Brian Branch nursing an ankle injury, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson remaining on IR due to a long-term pectoral injury, has left the Lions in need of additional defensive support.

Here's to hoping Averett can regain a prominent role in Detroit while staying healthy and playing for the Lions on a weekly basis for the remainder of the season!

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