NFL Shockwave: Commanders Cornerback Kendall Fuller on the Trading Block—What a Deal Could Mean for Washington

Kendall Fuller is officially headed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad, a timely addition that bolsters a battered secondary and puts a Super Bowl–winning résumé back on the NFL radar. The 30-year-old cornerback, formerly of Washington, Kansas City and most recently Miami, signed on Oct. 14 after Detroit placed multiple defensive backs on injured reserve. Why Detroit moved quickly • Injury wave: Starting corners Cameron Sutton (hamstring) and Emmanuel Moseley (knee) are both sidelined, forcing rookie Terrion Arnold and depth pieces into bigger roles. • Scheme fit: Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn favors man coverage, the same style that highlighted Fuller’s best seasons in Washington (2020-23) and Kansas City’s 2019 title run. • Experience: Fuller has 113 career games, 16 interceptions and a championship ring, providing leadership inside a young corner room. What Fuller brings 1. Inside–outside versatility: Fuller logged more than 2,000 snaps in the slot and another 3,000 on the boundary, giving Detroit matchup flexibility. 2. Ball skills: Seven pass break-ups in just 11 games with Miami last year before a season-ending groin injury show he can still disrupt passing lanes. 3. Immediate impact on special teams: Practice-squad call-ups can dress on game day three times; Fuller’s open-field tackling aids kick coverage while he ramps up on defense. Depth-chart ripple effect • If Fuller is elevated, Arnold can stay at his natural left-corner spot while Kindle Vildor or Khalil Dorsey handles dime packages. • Should Fuller flash his 2022 form (career-high 77.6 PFF grade), Detroit could sign him to the 53-man roster and free up a practice-squad slot for another position of need. Road back from injury Fuller underwent core-muscle surgery in January after Miami placed him on IR in Week 14. Team workouts this summer reportedly showed “full speed” movement, but roster math pushed him to the market when the Dolphins added younger corners in camp. Detroit’s sports-science staff will monitor his weekly load, with an eye on the Nov. 3 road matchup against division rival Green Bay for a possible debut. Big-picture outlook The Lions (4-1) sit atop the NFC North yet rank 24th in opponent passer rating. If Fuller stabilizes the back end, Detroit gains an affordable, battle-tested defender for the playoff push while Fuller positions himself for one more multi-year contract in 2026 free agency. SEO takeaway Fans searching for “Kendall Fuller Detroit Lions signing,” “Lions practice squad moves,” and “Detroit Lions cornerback injuries” will find that Fuller’s addition answers Detroit’s immediate depth crisis and could evolve into one of the most savvy in-season pickups of 2025.