The Lions have placed offensive linemen Colby Sorsdal and Justin Herron, along with tight end Kenny Yeboah, on injured reserve.
This marks a particularly unfortunate setback for Sorsdal, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. After struggling to find his footing during his first two years, he’ll now miss out on his third season entirely.
Herron’s injury occurred unexpectedly during warm-ups before the game against Atlanta. Details surrounding the incident remain unclear. Yeboah, meanwhile, has been hampered by a string of injuries throughout the summer, ultimately sidelining him for the year.
New Additions To The Den
To address the slew of injuries the team has already faced, the Lions are leaning heavily on United Football League (UFL) players who performed well last season. The Detroit Lions have recently signed tight end Gunnar Oakes, fresh off a standout season with the Michigan Panthers. The former Eastern Michigan product hauled in 14 receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns, earning All-UFL honors.
Joining him is offensive lineman Gunner Britton, who played for the DC Defenders. After going undrafted out of Auburn in 2024, Britton spent time with the Buffalo Bills during the offseason before heading to the UFL.
The Lions also added seasoned lineman Keaton Sutherland, most recently with the Birmingham Stallions. Since entering the league in 2019, Sutherland has had stints with the Bengals, Dolphins, 49ers, Texans, Commanders, and Jaguars. Though primarily a practice squad contributor, he’s started two NFL games and has mainly played at tackle.
UFL Looks To Expand Into New Markets
Recently, the UFL has expressed interest in expanding into new markets by moving established teams and adding more teams in the coming years. While nothing has been confirmed, reports indicate that all four USFL division teams could relocate before the 2026 season.
Online sportsbooks that host XFL betting odds and USFL division odds have not yet produced lines for the upcoming season, as much of the talk has not been confirmed. However, one confirmed team relocation is set to move to Columbus, Ohio, where the team will play at the historic Crew Stadium.
Betting On The UFL
Last year, we saw numerous betting options for the UFL, including XFL team odds, USFL divisional odds, game lines, futures, and various props. Next year, we expect to see much of the same, with a little different team names and hopefully more props.
Fans of the UFL have numerous ways they can place bets on the league with both domestic and offshore sports betting sites. There are currently 38 states with in-person sports betting services, with 30 of those states also offering their services online. However, if your state has not legalized sports betting, online sportsbooks from outside of the USA are available and legal to use.