Derrick Deese Jr. - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Inks futures deal The Lions signed Deese to a reserve/future contract Wednesday.

Impact Deese joined the Lions' practice squad after failing to make the team's initial 53-man roster, but he was cut again a week later. The undrafted tight end out of San Jose State caught 47 passes for 730 yards and four scores during his final collegiate campaign and, after signing a new contract, will have a chance to compete for a roster spot with the Lions throughout the offseason.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Healthy for training camp Deese (undisclosed) was listed as one of the eight active tight ends for the Lions at Thursday's practice, Jeff Risdon reports.

Impact Deese signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in May and has been out with an injury since mid-June. The San Jose tight end will likely see a depth role, as he's one of the seven tight ends fighting for a spot behind T.J. Hockenson.

JULY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nursing injury Deese did not participate in minicamp due to an undisclosed injury, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact There was no indication of an injury when Deese signed with Detroit as an undrafted free agent last month. Since neither the nature nor the severity of the situation is clear, it's hard to say whether the San Jose State product will be ready for training camp in late July.

JUNE 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE