# Lions sign safety Bishop Fitzgerald, place Maddox on IR

> Detroit adds depth to its secondary after losing a defensive back to a season-ending foot injury.
- Title: Lions sign safety Bishop Fitzgerald, place Maddox on IR
- Summary: Detroit adds depth to its secondary after losing a defensive back to a season-ending foot injury. The Lions signed safety Bishop Fitzgerald from Pittsburgh's…
- Keywords: detroit lions, avonte maddox, bishop fitzgerald, nfl, injured reserve, practice squad, secondary, defensive back, safety, pittsburgh steelers, tennessee titans, sports
- Source: NBC Sports — https://nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lions-place-db-avonte-maddox-on-ir-sign-s-bishop-fitzgerald
- Published: 2026-09-22T20:59:47.008+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: detroit lions, avonte maddox, bishop fitzgerald, nfl, injured reserve, practice squad, secondary, defensive back, safety, pittsburgh steelers, tennessee titans, sports
## Lions lose Maddox to season-ending injury
Defensive back Avonte Maddox is out for the season with a foot injury requiring surgery. Linebacker Joe Bachie was also placed on injured reserve.
## Fitzgerald signed from Steelers practice squad
The Lions signed safety Bishop Fitzgerald off Pittsburgh's practice squad on Tuesday to fill the secondary gap left by Maddox's injury.
## Fitzgerald's path to Detroit
Fitzgerald originally signed with Tennessee as an undrafted rookie free agent this spring before joining Pittsburgh's practice squad after being waived in preseason.
## College standout with five interceptions
At USC last season, Fitzgerald recorded five interceptions. He also played at Coffeyville Community College and North Carolina State before his professional career.
## Bachie limited to special teams role
Linebacker Joe Bachie played 32 special teams snaps in the first two games but saw no defensive snaps before being placed on injured reserve.
## Key takeaway

The Lions signed safety Bishop Fitzgerald from Pittsburgh's practice squad to replace defensive back Avonte Maddox, who went on injured reserve with a foot injury requiring surgery.