The Lions added two Illinois players as undrafted free agents. Offensive lineman Melvin Priestly joins quarterback and Illini teammate Luke Altmyer in trying to secure backup roles with the team. Priestly appears to be a medically-clean addition to the Lions’ offensive line.
Here is the Melvin Priestly medical report:
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 10 (extreme).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified – subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Melvin Priestly, OG/OT (22-23?) – Illinois
ESPN rank: Matt Miller’s No. 474 overall player
Medical Concern Level: 0/10
Priestly has a perfect record of availability (48 straight games) throughout his four college years. There were only a couple, very-brief injuries noted. His age is uncertain, but is not expected to be advanced.
After two years playing left tackle at Grambling State, he moved to right tackle during his two years at Illinois. That versatility, along with his excellent reliability, could help him make the roster.
It’s possible his future in the NFL will be on the inside, though. If so, he joins a large group of interior offensive linemen that includes Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs, and Ben Bartch, who all might be competing for the left guard spot.
Given the injury concerns of that group, it may turn out to be a smart move adding a medically-clean player in Priestly.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions UDFA: OL Melvin Priestly injury report
Reporting by Jimmy Liao, MD, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
