Detroit Lions reportedly signing cornerback from Pittsburgh’s practice squad

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mark Gilbert (17) readies before kickoff during an NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
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ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are signing cornerback Mark Gilbert from the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers per ESPN.

Gilbert, an undrafted rookie out of Duke, adds depth to a cornerback room lacking it after injuries to Jeff Okudah and Ifeatu Melifonwu. Gilbert is the cousin of four-time All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis and nephew of former Pro Bowl defensive lineman Sean Gilbert.

The Lions started undrafted rookie Jerry Jacobs at cornerback opposite Amani Oruwariye last week, with fellow undrafted rookie A.J. Parker at nickelback. Bobby Price, a recently converted safety and former undrafted signee started the two previous games on the other side of Oruwariye. Corey Ballentine and Daryl Worley are also in the mix. Ballentine returns kicks while Worley saw work in Week 4 before being inactive against the Vikings last week.

Gilbert looked like a legit prospect to watch coming out of his sophomore season at Duke, earning first-team All-ACC honors. He posted six interceptions with 15 pass deflections that season. The cornerback suffered a season-ending hip injury early in 2018, then missed the entire 2019 season too. He returned for two games in 2020, intercepting one pass and making eight tackles before needing season-ending foot surgery.

Gilbert spent the offseason with the Steelers, landing on the practice squad before getting scooped by Detroit. Gilbert played 82 snaps in the preseason, making four tackles while knocking away two passes. The 6-foot-1 corner allowed four catches on six targets for 72 yards per Pro Football Focus. Gilbert has a pretty solid Relative Athletic Score (RAS), with elite marks in the 10-yard split and broad jump.

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