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Lions Sign Ex-All-Pro LB Devin White to One-Year Deal After Rolder Injury

The Detroit Lions signed former All-Pro linebacker Devin White to a one-year contract, as reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz. White, who ranked third in the NFL with 174 tackles last season, adds veteran depth after rookie Jimmy Rolder suffered a leg injury in Friday's practice. He will compete for a reserve role behind Jack Campbell and other starters.

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Lions Sign Ex-All-Pro LB Devin White to One-Year Deal After Rolder Injury

Lions Sign Ex-All-Pro LB Devin White to One-Year Deal After Rolder Injury

The short answer

The Detroit Lions are signing Devin White, a former top-five pick and second-team All-Pro, to a one-year deal. This move comes after rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder injured his leg during Friday's practice and is expected to be sidelined 'a while,' according to Justin Rogers. White played all 17 games for the Las Vegas Raiders last season, recording 174 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble, ranking third in the NFL in tackles. However, he has never finished a season with a PFF grade above 57.0 and has struggled in coverage and run defense. The Lions already have starters Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez, so White will likely compete for a primary reserve or situational role. This is the second linebacker addition in a week, following the signing of Troy Reeder at the start of training camp.

Why it's trending

The sudden spike in interest is triggered by the Lions' signing of Devin White on Saturday, following rookie Jimmy Rolder's leg injury during Friday's training camp practice. The signing was first reported by Jordan Schultz and confirmed by multiple outlets, making it a breaking news event for Lions fans and NFL followers.

The Detroit Lions are signing former All-Pro linebacker Devin White, as first reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz and covered by Pride of Detroit and CBS Sports. White agreed to a one-year contract on Saturday, according to CBS Sports. The move addresses a sudden need at linebacker after rookie Jimmy Rolder suffered a leg injury in Friday's practice and did not return, with Justin Rogers reporting the signing is a direct result of Rolder's injury.

Multiple sources confirm White's recent production: CBS Sports notes he participated in all 17 regular-season games for the Raiders last year, recording 174 tackles (95 solo), 2.5 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception, and a forced fumble, ranking third in the NFL in tackles. Pride of Detroit also reports 174 tackles and third place, just behind Detroit's Jack Campbell. However, the same source highlights that White has never earned a PFF grade above 57.0, struggling in both coverage and run defense, suggesting his raw stats may overstate his overall impact. Yahoo Sports also reported the agreement, but no additional details were provided.

White's career trajectory gives context to this signing. Drafted fifth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he made second-team All-Pro and won a Super Bowl by his second season. After four productive years in Tampa, his play declined. He signed with the Eagles in 2024 but never played a snap, then spent half a season with Houston before playing a full season with the Raiders—where he posted high tackle numbers but underwhelmed analytically. The Lions are now his fourth team in two years, a sign of both his reputation and his inconsistency.

The signing provides immediate depth for a Lions linebacker corps that has 'suffered consistent injuries over the past few seasons,' per CBS Sports. With Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez locked into starting roles, White will compete for a reserve spot or situational defensive role. The team also added Troy Reeder at the start of training camp, indicating a proactive approach to bolstering depth. If Rolder's injury lingers, White could see meaningful snaps, but his past performance suggests the coaching staff will need to maximize his athleticism to overcome his coverage and run-defense liabilities.

Timeline

  1. White drafted fifth overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Devin White was selected with the fifth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, per Pride of Detroit.

  2. White earns All-Pro honors and wins Super Bowl

    White made second-team All-Pro and won a Super Bowl in his second season with Tampa Bay, according to Pride of Detroit.

  3. White's production declines

    After four productive years, his career 'dried up relatively quickly,' per Pride of Detroit.

  4. Eagles and Houston stints

    White signed with the Eagles in 2024 but never played a snap, then moved to Houston for half a season, per Pride of Detroit.

  5. Full season with Raiders

    White played all 17 games for the Las Vegas Raiders, posting 174 tackles and ranking third in the NFL, per CBS Sports and Pride of Detroit.

  6. Rolder injured in practice

    Rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder suffered a leg injury during Friday's Lions practice and did not return, per Pride of Detroit.

  7. Lions sign White to one-year deal

    Detroit signed White to a one-year contract, as reported by Jordan Schultz and confirmed by CBS Sports and Pride of Detroit.

Questions people ask

Why did the Lions sign Devin White?

The signing was prompted by rookie Jimmy Rolder's leg injury during Friday's practice, which will reportedly sideline him 'a while,' per Justin Rogers as noted by Pride of Detroit. CBS Sports also notes the Lions' linebacker corps has suffered consistent injuries, so White adds veteran depth.

How did Devin White perform last season?

White played all 17 games for the Las Vegas Raiders, recording 174 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception, and a forced fumble, ranking third in the NFL in tackles, according to CBS Sports. Pride of Detroit confirms the 174 tackles and third-place ranking, but notes his PFF grade never exceeded 57.0.

What role will Devin White have with the Lions?

White will compete for a primary reserve role, with starting jobs likely already taken by Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez, per Pride of Detroit. He could earn a situational role thanks to his experience and athleticism.

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