How Brad Holmes Saved 2 IR-Return Slots for Lions in 2025

Using creative roster management strategies to help manage injuries

During the 2025 season, Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions used creative roster management strategies to preserve a pair of IR-return slots. Under current NFL roster rules, teams are granted eight IR-return slots during the regular season (plus two additional if they make the playoffs).

The Lions ended up using 7 of their 8 IR-return slots in 2025. In the 2024 playoff-qualifying season, the Lions used 8 of 10 IR-return slots. Given the high number of injuries over the past two seasons, the Lions did well in keeping availability open.

Here is the detailed breakdown of how Brad Holmes preserved two IR-return slots in 2025 using clever roster moves with Ahmed Hassanein and Pat O’Connor. Expect the team to continue to employ these strategies in 2026.

Ahmed Hassanein - The Injury Waiver Release

August 16, 2025: Right pec strain

This 6th-round rookie went down with a pec strain during the third preseason game. Instead of putting him on IR-designated-to-return at the cutdown date, the Lions waived him with an injury settlement.

• The Risk: Injury waiving exposed Hassanein to waivers where any of the other 31 NFL teams could have claimed him.

• The Result: Hassanein cleared waivers and was re-signed to the Lions on November 10.

Hassanein is currently on a 1-year deal for the 2026 season worth $985,000 with $25,000 guaranteed.

Pat O’Connor - The IR Release & Re-Sign

Brad Holmes executed a quick release-and-re-sign cycle with veteran Pat O'Connor to free up a roster spot for nearly a month:

1. November 2, 2025: Unspecified knee injury

2. November 14, 2025: Placed on IR

3. November 15, 2025: Released from IR with injury settlement

4. December 8, 2025: Re-signed with the Lions

The Lions may have had a handshake deal with O’Connor to release and re-sign.

Why Handshake Deals Work for the Detroit Lions

Both the Hassanein and O'Connor transactions likely relied heavily on trust and mutual understanding between front-office leadership and the player. While these tactics carry the risk of a player signing elsewhere, strong organizational relationships make them highly effective.

It will be interesting to monitor if moves like these backfire on the Lions at any point, or if the NFL addresses these roster maneuvers with rule tweaks in the future.

---

For the complete Lions 2025 IR summary…