Detroit Lions sign former UDFA DL to practice squad

About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Detroit Lions signed former undrafted free agent defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina to its practice squad in its pair of Tuesday roster moves.

A 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive lineman out of Cal, Keanaaina joined the Lions as an UDFA following the 2026 NFL Draft. Keanaaina was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement by the Lions in mid-August after suffering an undisclosed injury.

The 24-year-old registered 112 tackles (42 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one pass defensed across 36 games and six seasons at Cal and Notre Dame . In 2025 at Cal, Keanaaina started in all 13 games, recording 56 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Keanaaina was named honorable mention All-ACC.

A native of Denver, Colo., Keanaaina attended Mullen High School.

The Lions released defensive lineman Chris Smith from their practice squad. An undrafted free agent signing by the Lions out of Notre Dame in 2023, Smith has spent time in the Lions' organization each of the past four seasons and played in five games in 2024, notching two tackles and one quarterback hit.

The 6-foot-1, 320-pounder is a hometown product from Detroit.

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 2: at Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 17, 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.

Week 3: at New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 4: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 4, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Week 5: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 7: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 25, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 8: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 1, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 9: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 10: vs. New England Patriots (International game in Munich, Germany), Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. ET on Fox.

Week 11: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears (Thanksgiving Day game), Thursday, Nov. 26, 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

Week 13: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

Week 14: vs. Tennessee Titans , Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings , Sunday, Dec. 20, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Week 15: vs. New York Giants, Monday, Dec. 28, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Week 17: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 3, 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.

Week 18: at Green Bay Packers, TBD (Potential NFL Flex eligible game)

1 / 18 Lions vs. Saints: Best photos of Detroit's Week 1 win Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET on Fox.