Coming off their Week 10 victory against the Washington Commanders, the Lions made quick work to add to their practice squad.
The Lions worked out tight ends Anthony Firkser and Thomas Gordon Tuesday morning, opting to sign the more established Firsker. Gordon is a 2025 UDFA who spent the spring with the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL en route to a contract with the Chicago Bears during training camp, before being released.
Detroit is still seeking stability on its injury report, with Terrion Arnold and Kerby Joseph the most notable injuries the team is monitoring headed into Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles. It could be a good sign for Arnold’s availability, at the very least, that the team decided to opt for depth at tight end rather than at cornerback for their upcoming game.
Firkser was a UDFA in 2017 out of Harvard, bouncing around with the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets. He’d find stability in Tennessee with the Titans from 2018 to 2021. Firsker has spent the last four seasons going between five NFL teams, including the Lions in 2023.
Firsker has totaled 115 receptions for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns in his NFL career.
With the addition of Firsker, the Lions have released offensive lineman Jack Conley from their practice squad.
Conley signed with the Lions last week amid injuries on the offensive line, including Christian Mahogany being placed on injured reserve. The Lions now have Devin Cochran, Netane Muti, Kingsley Eguakun, Chris Hubbard, Michael Niese, and Mason Miller as reserve offensive linemen on the practice squad.
Currently, the Lions are healthy at tight end with Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Ross Dwelley all healthy. The addition of Firsker may be to add some competition as a blocking option, with LaPorta’s backup, Wright, having issues as a run blocker. Wright has graded out as a 50.6 per PFF as a run blocker, which is below league average.
Additionally, LaPorta cropped up on the Lions’ injury report on Thursday, with the tight end listed as having a back injury. This would make Firsker’s signing make even more sense.
With Firsker having plenty of experience, he’ll likely be elevated if he spends an extended amount of time on the Lions roster. Firsker has appeared in 78 regular-season games, including seeing significant time on both offense and special teams.
Indianapolis, IN — A Quarterback Controversy that Could Define a Dynasty
The Indianapolis Colts are humming along with a commanding 8-2 record, sitting atop the AFC South with a two-game lead, and currently holding the No. 1 seed in the AFC. While the season is far from over and seeding could change dramatically in the coming weeks, one thing is clear: the Colts have found something special this season. And much of that success can be attributed to a decision that seemed risky at the time—choosing Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback over the much-hyped Anthony Richardson.
Entering the 2025 season, the Colts were facing what many believed could be a major landmine in terms of quarterback play. Richardson, the team’s 2023 first-round draft pick, had experience in Shane Steichen’s system after playing under him for two years. With all eyes on Richardson as the next great hope for the Colts, it seemed like the most logical move to hand him the reins as QB1. But Indianapolis made a bolder decision.
The Bold Decision to Start Daniel Jones
Instead of going with Richardson, the Colts took a chance on Daniel Jones, whose career had been marked by struggles in New York with the Giants and a brief stint with the Minnesota Vikings that didn’t leave a lasting impression. Jones had flamed out in New York, failing to live up to the potential that had once made him a first-round pick in 2019. But Indianapolis saw something in Jones that could work in their favor.
Through 10 games in 2025, it’s clear that the Colts made the right choice. Jones has been nothing short of terrific, showcasing poise, leadership, and a level of consistency that has allowed the Colts to thrive. He has breathed new life into a team that had been in search of stability at the quarterback position for years. His solid play has led Indianapolis to a top spot in the AFC, and while the season has a long way to go, the future is looking bright for the Colts with Jones at the helm.
The Anthony Richardson Dilemma: Could He Be on the Move?
Of course, the question remains: what about Richardson? His future in Indianapolis is now uncertain, and the Colts face a significant decision next offseason with the fifth-year option on his contract for 2027 looming. The speculation around Richardson’s future has already begun, and some analysts, like Billy Heyen of the Sporting News, suggest that Richardson could be traded sooner rather than later.
One potential scenario is a trade to the Carolina Panthers, where Richardson would join another former high-profile 2023 draft pick, Bryce Young. The Panthers’ decision to stick with Young as their starter despite his lackluster performance has drawn criticism, much like Richardson’s struggles in Indianapolis. Young has started 37 games over three seasons for Carolina, but his record of 11-26, combined with a quarterback rating of just 77.8 and a troubling 37-26 touchdown-to-interception ratio, has led some to question his future as the Panthers’ QB1. Could Richardson be the answer in Carolina? Some think a change of scenery might be just what both quarterbacks need, but at this point, Richardson’s future in Indianapolis appears increasingly uncertain.
The Long-Term Vision for the Colts
For Colts fans, however, the uncertainty surrounding Richardson’s future isn’t a major concern. Indianapolis has found its long-term quarterback in Daniel Jones, and that should equate to sustained success for years to come. While the Colts’ decision to start Jones over Richardson raised some eyebrows at first, it’s clear that the team’s leadership saw something in Jones that many others had overlooked. His ability to manage the offense, avoid mistakes, and make crucial throws when needed has allowed the Colts to remain atop the AFC South and firmly in the playoff hunt.
Whether Richardson stays in Indianapolis or moves on to another team, the Colts have made a decisive step forward in securing their quarterback situation. With Jones leading the way, Indianapolis looks poised to build a new era of success, one that could lead to long-term dominance in the AFC. And while the quarterback controversy around Richardson might continue to swirl, the Colts are content knowing they have found their man under center.