Lions awarded TE Hayden Rucci off waivers from the Dolphins

There is a new addition to the injury-depleted Detroit Lions tight end room. On Monday, the Lions were awarded a successful waiver claim on former Dolphins TE Hayden Rucci.

Rucci is in his second NFL season, having spent his prior time with the Dolphins. Nearly all of that time was on Miami's practice squad, though Rucci had spent the last month on the active roster. In four games, Rucci registered one special teams tackle and played 39 total offensive snaps. He joined Miami after going undrafted out of Wisconsin in 2024.

Rucci is now on the Lions' active roster and must remain there for at least three weeks as terms of the NFL's waiver claim policy. His roster spot opened when the Lions placed starting CB Terrion Arnold on injured reserve.

The Lions could be without their top two tight ends once again for Week 14, and perhaps longer. Sam LaPorta is out for the season with a back injury. Brock Wright is still sidelined with a neck/trachea injury that forced him to miss the Week 13 loss to the Packers.

Earlier, the Lions added tight end Giovanni Ricci to the team's practice squad. Detroit also began the 21-day activation window for TE Shane Zylstra from I.R. on Monday. In Week 13, the Lions TE room was Anthony Firkser, Ross Dwelley, undrafted rookie Zach Horton and veteran OT Dan Skipper, who played 15 snaps as a blocking tight end.

More: Lions vs Cowboys: Initial injury report & medical analysis

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions awarded TE Hayden Rucci off waivers from the Dolphins