Lions add two defensive veterans, including former MSU linebacker

The Detroit Lions on Wednesday signed linebacker Joe Bachie and defensive tackle Jay Tufele, bringing their roster total to 87 players. Bachie (6-foot-2, 235 pounds), a former standout at Michigan State (2016-19), went undrafted in 2020 but has remained in the league across stints with the New Orleans Saints (2020), Philadelphia Eagles (2020), Cincinnati Bengals (2021-24), Indianapolis Colts (2025) and Tennessee Titans (2025). He's played 395 defensive snaps over 66 career appearances, including seven starts.

The Lions now have eight linebackers expected to be under contract for next season, in Bachie, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jimmy Rolder, Trevor Nowaske, Damone Clark and Erick Hunter. Rolder (fourth-round selection from Michigan) and Hunter (undrafted out Morgan State) are rookies. Tufele was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after playing four seasons at USC (2017-20), where he overlapped with Lions receiver Amon-Ra St.

Brown for three years. Tufele has spent time with Jacksonville Jaguars (2021), Bengals (2022-24) and New York Jets (2025). He's recorded 27 total tackles and 10 pressures on 471 snaps over the last two seasons.

With more size (6-3, 305) than some of the other reserves along Detroit's defensive line, Tufele was likely added to provide some run defense behind starters Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams. Tufele's grade from Pro Football Focus as a run defender has been above average in three of his last four seasons. The exception was in 2025, when he earned a grade of 52.