Malik Cunningham: Everything you need to know

The Lions signed Cunningham to a reserve/future contract Monday. Cunningham spent the majority of the 2025 campaign on the Lions' practice squad, playing one offensive snap in his only appearance Week 14 against the Cowboys, logging one carry for one yard. The 27-year-old has transitioned into being a wide receiver after entering the NFL as a quarterback in 2023, but he has yet to be given much of an opportunity to prove himself at the new position.

Cunningham reverted to Detroit's practice squad Friday, per the NFL's transactions log. Cunningham played just one of the Lions' 62 offensive snaps during Thursday's 44-30 win versus the Cowboys, taking a direct snap for one yard in the middle of the third quarter. The Lions can still elevate him from the practice squad to the active roster two more times this season.

Cunningham was elevated to the active roster for Thursday night's game against the Cowboys. Cunningham draws his first practice squad elevation of the 2025 season for Thursday Night Football. With Kalif Raymond (ankle) out and Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) questionable, the wide receiver was likely elevated to fill a depth need. The Lions' wide receiver corps for TNF will consist of Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Tom Kennedy, Dominic Lovett, Cunningham, and potentially St. Brown.