The Detroit Lions Poach Safety From Chiefs Practice Squad - Jammie Robinson
Not every signing makes headlines, some just keep your season alive and that’s what Robinson brings.
The Detroit Lions didn’t have to wait long to answer back after the controversial loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Just days after a game marred by disputed calls and missed opportunities, Brad Holmes and the front office struck a subtle but symbolic blow—poaching safety Jammie Robinson straight off Kansas City’s practice squad.
It’s more than just a depth signing for a Lions secondary battered and still simmering from the frustrations of Arrowhead, the move carries a message: Detroit isn’t sulking, Detroit is counterpunching.
College Resume: Tough, Versatile, Proven
Jammie Robinson carved out a reputation in the SEC and ACC as one of college football’s most physical and instinctive defensive backs. After two seasons at South Carolina, he transferred to Florida State and became the heartbeat of the Seminoles’ secondary.
Career totals: 319 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 16 passes defended, 7 INTs, 3 forced fumbles, 1 sack
Accolades: Two-time First-Team All-ACC (2021, 2022)
Calling card: Physical, compact (5’11”, 200 lbs), quick-footed and fearless in the box or covering the slot
Scouts saw a versatile defender with slippery hips, toughness, and a motor that never shut off — even if he lacked ideal measurables. His compact 200-pound frame mixed with twitchy footwork made him a natural fit for nickel and safety roles, and scouts praised his toughness despite lacking prototypical length.
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Draft and Early NFL Path
Robinson entered the 2023 NFL Draft as a well-regarded mid-round prospect. He flashed at the Senior Bowl where he was selected as a top-30 visit with Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes and the staff. Lions showed strong pre-draft interest but passed on draft day. Carolina scooped him up in the fifth round (No. 145 overall).
Over two seasons, he appeared in 21 games with 2 starts, mostly on special teams, with spot duty at nickel and box safety where he logged 75 defensive snaps.
NFL stats: 20 tackles (13 solo), 75 defensive snaps
2023: 15 games, 17 tackles
2024: 6 games, 3 tackles before being waived
After Carolina moved on, Robinson had a brief stint with the Arizona Cardinals and then landed on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in 2025. That’s where Detroit came calling.
Lions Regroup Ahead Of Tampa
Robinson, a former fifth-round pick with a reputation for toughness and versatility, now arrives in Allen Park with a chance to stabilize special teams and provide much-needed coverage depth while the Lions regroup.
Role and Fit
Robinson isn’t being asked to step in as a savior, but his skill set addresses immediate needs: Robinson isn’t a long-term fix, he’s a stabilizer:
Special Teams Core: With 366 career special teams snaps, he can contribute instantly in coverage units.
Nickel/Box Depth: His college and NFL reps in the slot and near the line of scrimmage give Detroit flexibility in sub-packages.
Tackling and Edge: Physical tone-setter who fits the Lions’ defensive culture, energy and physicality against the run.
In short, Robinson is a plug-and-play depth piece who can stabilize special teams and provide insurance at safety and nickel while the Lions weather injuries and suspensions. He won’t start, but he might save a drive—or a game.
Why the Lions Made the Move
The move wasn’t a luxury signing—it was survival.
Brian Branch: Suspended
Kerby Joseph: Knee injury
CB depth: Ravaged by injuries and IR stints leaving the secondary dangerously thin.
Robinson offered three things Detroit needed in a hurry: experience, versatility, and special teams production and prior connection with Detroit’s front office made him an ideal emergency addition.
Secondary in Flux
Detroit’s front office has been in scramble mode to patch the defensive backfield. Since the start of October, the Lions have added:
Jammie Robinson (S) – Signed from KC (Oct 15)
Kendall Fuller (CB) – Added to practice squad (Oct 14)
Erick Hallett II (S) – Promoted (Oct 11)
Nick Whiteside (CB) – Promoted (Oct 11)
Arthur Maulet (CB) – Signed (Oct 8)
Tre Flowers (CB) – Signed (Oct 1)
It’s been a rotating door as injuries and suspensions pile up. This flurry of moves underscores just how depleted the Lions’ secondary has become, with both safeties and corners dropping out of the lineup.
Bottom Line
Detroit’s secondary is being held together with duct tape. With playoff positioning already on the line, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell need glue guys—smart, physical, ready-to-play depth. Detroit gets a player they once considered during the draft process, now arriving at a moment when his versatility and toughness could prove invaluable. Not every signing makes headlines, some just keep your season alive and that’s what Robinson brings.
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