Detroit Lions add Canadian linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga to practice squad

Photo: Chicago Bears. Photo edit: 3DownNation.

The Detroit Lions have signed Canadian linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga to their practice roster, the team announced on Monday. He was released from the active roster on Sunday amid final post-training camp roster cuts.

The 27-year-old signed with Detroit earlier this month after spending the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He dressed for eight regular-season games in 2025, making one start. He recorded 17 total tackles and broke up one pass.

The six-foot, 230-pound defender dressed for 17 games in his first season with Chicago, and became a key part of the team’s special teams units. He recorded 13 total tackles with one tackle for loss and one sack.

Ogbongbemiga spent his first three NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

Over 72 career regular-season NFL games, Ogbongbemiga has made three starts and recorded 66 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks. He has earned $7.42 million during his NFL career.

Ogbongbemiga played collegiately at Oklahoma State University, where he tallied 208 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one interception. He was twice named second-team All-Big 12.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Ogbongbemiga was raised in Houston and Calgary, where he attended Notre Dame Senior High School.

His exclusive CFL rights belong to the Calgary Stampeders, who selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 CFL Draft.