The Detroit Lions made a pair of roster moves on Monday, swapping out an undrafted free-agent linebacker for a veteran one.
The team announced it has signed veteran linebacker Ben Niemann, and to make room for him on the offseason roster, Detroit waived UDFA linebacker Steele Chambers.
Niemann spent last season with the Denver Broncos, where he appeared in seven games (0 starts), tallying two tackles while playing all 134 of his snaps on special teams.
Prior to his stint with the Broncos, Niemann spent four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and one with the Arizona Cardinals. He played at least 400 defensive snaps in each year from 2019-22. Niemann was one of nine players to not miss a tackle during the 2022 campaign.
Linebacker happens to be one of the Lions' deeper positions on the offseason roster, so Niemann will have a tough time making the cut on the initial 53-man roster. His best shot to stick in Detroit will be on the practice squad.
Detroit signed Chambers following the 2024 NFL Draft. The Ohio State product had 208 total tackles, 13 sacks, four interceptions and five passes defensed over five years.
Niemann will get his first practice in with the Lions this week, as the team takes part in its final two sessions of organized team activities on Tuesday and Wednesday.
