Lopez signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the Cardinals on Monday that includes $7 million guaranteed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Lopez served in a rotational role on the defensive line for the Lions in 2025, but the 2021 sixth-rounder could serve in a larger role with the Cardinals if Calais Campbell -- who is an unrestricted free agent -- does not return. Lopez recorded 30 tackles (11 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and one pass defense across 17 regular-season games for Detroit in 2025. It'll be his second stint in Arizona, having played with the Cardinals from 2023 to 2024.
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Lions' Roy Lopez: Plays rotational role in 2025
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Lopez recorded 30 tackles (11 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and one pass defensed across 17 regular-season games with the Lions in 2025.
Lopez signed a one-year deal with Detroit before the 2025 season, and he retained a comparable role relative to the rest of his career. He logged over 400 defensive snaps for the second straight campaign while reaching at least 30 tackles for the fourth time in his five-year career. Lopez is set to become an unrestricted free agent again this offseason, and he should land another short-term deal.
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Lions' Roy Lopez: Heading to Detroit
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The Lions agreed to terms with Lopez on a one-year, $4.65 million contract Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Lopez was a 2021 sixth-round pick by the Texans and spent two seasons in Houston before going to Arizona for his next two campaigns. In 2024, Lopez started a career-high 16 regular-season games for the Cardinals, logging 28 tackles (10 solo), including 1.0 sacks, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. Lopez will provide experienced interior-defensive-line depth behind DJ Reader and Alim McNeill (knee) with the Lions.
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Cardinals' Roy Lopez: Ready to go Sunday
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Lopez (ankle) is active for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
The defensive tackle was a limited participant in practice Thursday and carried a questionable tag into the weekend. Lopez has 23 tackles (nine solo), including 1.0 sacks, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 12 games this season.
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Cardinals' Roy Lopez: Out for Sunday
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Lopez (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Lopez played through his ankle issue in the Cardinals' Week 7 win over the Chargers, failing to record a stat on 22 total snaps (18 defensive and four on special teams). However, it appears the 27-year-old worsened his injury, as he was unable to practice Thursday and now won't play in Week 8. Expect Khyiris Tonga to see additional snaps as one of Arizona's top interior defensive linemen in Lopez's stead.
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Cardinals' Roy Lopez: Active Monday night
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Lopez (ankle) is active for Monday night's game against the Chargers.
Lopez was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable. He's played 54 percent of the defensive snaps this season, logging 17 tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one forced fumble.
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Cardinals' Roy Lopez: Listed as questionable for Week 7
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Lopez (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Chargers.
Lopez has been limited all week due to an ankle injury he presumably picked up in Week 6 against the Packers. If Lopez is unable to play Monday, Khyiris Tonga and Naquan Jones should see increased snaps at defensive tackle alongside starter L.J. Collier. Lopez has accrued 17 tackles (seven solo), including 1.0 sacks, one pass breakup and one forced fumble through the first six games of the regular season.
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Roy Lopez: Waived/injured by Texans
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Houston will waive/injured Lopez due to a strained hamstring, and the two sides are expected to reach an injury settlement, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Wilson suffered the hamstring strain in Houston's second preseason game, but he's said to have avoided a major injury and could be ready to return the field in the next 2-to-3 weeks. However, the Texans have nonetheless decided to place him on waivers with the waived/injured designation, which means he'll likely end up on IR. At that point, the two sides are expected to negotiate an injury settlement, which would allow Lopez to seek an opportunity with a new team.
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Texans' Roy Lopez: Expects to be available for Week 1
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Lopez (undisclosed) is dealing with a soft-tissue injury but is expected to be available for Week 1, Drew Dougherty of the Texans' official site reports.
Since joining the Texans as a rookie last season, the defensive lineman has seen a big role and hasn't missed any time excluding a brief absence with COVID-19. Lopez figures to see a starting spot in the middle of Houston's defensive line all season, assuming he's able to get healthy in time for Week 1.
