Getty The Detroit Lions released full back Jason Cabinda a day after activating him from injured reserve.
Veteran full back Jason Cabinda returned from injured reserve for the Detroit Lions ahead of the team’s Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. But his return was short lived.
The Lions announced waiving Cabinda on December 29, which was just 1 day after activating him. In a corresponding move, the Lions then signed kicker Michael Badgley to the active roster from their practice squad.
Cabinda has spent the past five seasons with the Lions. During that stint, he converted from linebacker to full back.
This season, Cabinda appeared in three games for the Lions.
Also on December 29, the Lions released defensive lineman Chris Smith from the practice squad and signed offensive lineman Michael Schofield.
#Lions announce roster moves:
Waived FB Jason Cabinda.
Signed K Michael Badgley from the Practice Squad to the Active Roster.
Released DL Chris Smith from the Practice Squad.
Signed OL Michael Schofield to the Practice Squad.
Jason Cabinda Another Indication Lions Defensive Players on Verge of Returning?
When the Lions activated Cabinda on December 28, the team waived cornerback Chase Lucas and linebacker Trevor Nowaske. It was odd to see the Lions then release Cabinda a day later, but the move kept one roster spot open for the Lions.
That available spot could be used to activate safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson from injured reserve. He has been out since suffering a pectoral muscle in Week 2, but Gardner-Johnson returned to practice on December 20.
The Lions ruled out Gardner-Johnson for Week 17, so even if he’s activated, he will not be able to play versus the Cowboys. But the roster spot is open for him if Detroit is already planning for Gardner-Johnson to return in Week 18.
Ahead of the December 30 matchup, the Lions also activated the 21-day practice window for linebacker James Houston. Like Gardner-Johnson, Houston has been sidelined since Week 2. Houston has been dealing with an ankle injury.
Gardner-Johnson and Houston are the obvious choices for Detroit’s open roster spot. SB Nation’s Jeremy Reisman wrote that the Lions could also use the spot to sign defensive end Bruce Irvin to the active roster.
Cabinda began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent linebacker for the then Oakland Raiders in 2018. He played 10 games as a rookie, which included three starts.
With the Lions in 2019, Cabinda played four games, mostly appearing on special teams. Then when Detroit brought him back the following season, Cabinda converted to full back.
He played at least 104 offensive snaps each season for the Lions from 2020-22. Cabinda was also a major contributor on special teams for Detroit in 2020 and 2021.
Cabinda has only 26 offensive snaps and 54 snaps on special teams this season. But Cabinda is a candidate to return to the Lions on the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers.
Lions Sign Kicker Michael Badgley to Active Roster
With Cabinda’s release, the Lions officially settled their kicker situation.
Badgley replaced Riley Patterson, who had kicked in every game for the Lions, in Week 15. Then, the Lions released Patterson to make room for quarterback Hendon Hooker on the active roster on December 19.
The Lions had already elevated Badgley from their practice squad each of the past two games. The maximum amount of times a team can elevate a player to the active roster for game day is three times.
By signing Badgley, Detroit avoided potentially maximizing their options with the veteran kicker.
In two games, Badgley has made his only field-goal attempt for the Lions this season. He is also 9-for-10 on extra-point tries. The only attempt he missed was blocked.
Badgley has made 81.9% of his field goals in his six-year NFL career.