Quarterback Brad Kaaya returned to the Lions after being waived by the Panthers last week, but his stay on the active roster was a brief one.
The Lions announced on Monday that Kaaya is back on waivers. The Lions needed to make room for the return of defensive tackle Khyri Thornton to the 53-man roster.
Thornton was suspended for the first six games of the season for a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. A 2014 third-round pick of the Packers, Thornton spent his rookie year on injured reserve and spent a brief spell with the Patriots before moving on to the Lions. He had 23 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 23 games over the last two seasons.
Thornton returns to the lineup in the wake of Haloti Ngata’s season-ending injury, giving the Lions another body up front at a moment when they need one.