Detroit Lions sign former UDFA DL to practice squad

The Detroit Lions signed former undrafted free agent defensive lineman Aidan Keanaaina to its practice squad in its pair of Tuesday roster moves.

A 6-foot-3, 320-pound defensive lineman out of Cal, Keanaaina joined the Lions as an UDFA following the 2026 NFL Draft. Keanaaina was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement by the Lions in mid-August after suffering an undisclosed injury.

The 24-year-old registered 112 tackles (42 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one pass defensed across 36 games and six seasons at Cal and Notre Dame. In 2025 at Cal, Keanaaina started in all 13 games, recording 56 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Keanaaina was named honorable mention All-ACC.

Lions announce roster moves:

Released DL Chris Smith from the practice squad

Signed DL Aidan Keanaaina to the practice squad pic.twitter.com/IeRXXrYlB2

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 20, 2026

A native of Denver, Colo., Keanaaina attended Mullen High School.

The Lions released defensive lineman Chris Smith from their practice squad. An undrafted free agent signing by the Lions out of Notre Dame in 2023, Smith has spent time in the Lions' organization each of the past four seasons and played in five games in 2024, notching two tackles and one quarterback hit.

The 6-foot-1, 320-pounder is a hometown product from Detroit.