Dan Campbell explains why the Lions kept a spot open on the 53-man roster

Essentially, the proverbial 53rd man on an NFL team's 53-man roster feels pretty inconsequential, and he may be regularly inactive on game days.

But since the Detroit Lions did some roster maneuvering early in the season involving placing players on IR (Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, Ifeatu Melifonwu) and adding guys to the active roster (Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson) went, it is notable that they have had 52 players in the 53-man squad for a few weeks.

Campbell was asked about the open spot on the 53-man roster before Friday's practice.

“It gives us options. “I don’t want to say we’re necessarily going to use these or that we’re in a rush to fill these out,” Campbell said. “It's really given us a bit of flexibility at the moment.” It gives us options, but I wouldn't say we're necessarily in a rush to fill it right now with maybe one of these people or someone else.”

Each player on the practice squad can be named to the game day roster three times before being required to be named to the active roster. By keeping a 53-man roster spot open, especially while figuring out who could fill the holes left by Davenport and Barnes in the mix of edge rushers and SAM linebackers (Isaac Ukwu, Mitchell Agude, newly signed Cam Gill and Al-Quadin). Muhammad, etc.), the Lions can basically bring three players off the practice squad in a week if they want.

Practice group raises (prior to this limit of three raises) revert back to the practice group after the game and are therefore not subject to the waiver. Campbell was asked if Ukwu and Agude could be called up to the practice squad or eventually added to the 53-man roster.

“I think both of them have progressed really well, I think these two guys because they've been here the longest,” Campbell said. “Talk about those D-ends, edge guys, and those two guys did it.” That's really good work for us and honestly I wouldn't have a problem playing either of those guys if we needed them .”

It wouldn't be a surprise if one or both of Ukwu or Agude were left off the practice squad for Sunday's game against the Cowboys around 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Of course, this open roster spot would also allow for a potential acquisition or signing if the Lions want to go in that direction. But for now, and at least for another week, the flexibility of having a free roster spot isn't a bad thing.