ALLEN PARK >> With safeties Vonn Bell, Kenny Vacarro and Marcus Williams already on the roster, it wouldn’t have made much sense, no matter how tempting it may have been, for the Saints to aggressively pursue All-America defensive back Jamal Adams coming out of LSU in the 2017 NFL Draft.

But Aaron Glenn — then the defensive backs coach in New Orleans and currently the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions — can recognize talent when he sees it. The skill set Adams brought to the table was evident at his pro day, when he turned in a 4.33 40-yard dash in front of Glenn and other league personnel.

Adams ended up getting picked No. 6 overall by the New York Jets, and the Saints ultimately chose cornerback Marshon Lattimore — a four-time Pro Bowler who New Orleans traded to Washington in November — five slots later.

Glenn and Adams couldn’t team up in the past, but they stayed in touch. Their paths have now officially crossed, with Adams signing with Detroit’s practice squad on Sunday. His addition, as head coach Dan Campbell put it, “just gives us options” on a depleted defense.

“He did my pro day when I was coming out eight years ago,” Adams said Monday, recalling his first interactions with Glenn. “He ran the show, and I was doing the drills. … From that point on, we’ve always kept a close connection. A hell of a coach, as everybody knows, but an even better person.”

The Lions have been battered by injuries this season, particularly on one side of the ball. Of the 18 players they currently have on injured reserve, 13 of them play defense. It’s a banged-up group that includes at least four starters, with superstar pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson (leg) headlining the sidelined crew.

More specifically, though, Detroit’s linebacking corps has taken a significant hit. Of the seven linebackers on the roster to start the season, four are on IR — Alex Anzalone (forearm), Derrick Barnes (knee), Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) and Malcolm Rodriguez (knee).

When considering that, it makes sense why Glenn, who texted Adams about joining the team, reached out. Despite his listing as a safety, Adams has seen 41% of his career snaps in the box. During individual drills of practice Monday, Adams was working with the LBs.

“I just feel like I can do a little bit of everything,” Adams said. “Whatever they ask me to do, I’m definitely going to do it to the best of my ability and just fly around and continue to make plays.”

One of the most impressive things about Adams in his career has been his ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. He led all safeties in pressures in 2018 (22), 2019 (25) and 2020 (34), and he ranked 15th in 2021 (7) before a torn labrum ended his season.

Adams played in just nine games in 2023, his final season with the Seattle Seahawks. From Weeks 4-14, he had the eighth-most pressures amongst all safeties with seven.

“Honestly, I think it goes way back to elementary (school), when I was playing capture the flag,” Adams said when asked where his pass-rush prowess came from. “Just flying around and having fun at recess. And I got lucky; I got very fortunate with my skills.”

Adams quickly lived up to draft position with the Jets, tallying 273 tackles and 12 sacks on the way to being a Pro Bowler twice in his first three seasons. He earned first-team All-Pro recognition in 2019, and he received second-team honors with the Seahawks after he was traded.

But injuries have largely derailed him. Adams hasn’t played a full campaign since 2018, and he hasn’t made more than 12 appearances in a season since 2019.

From 2022-24, he’s played in just 13 games, with three of those coming this season as a member of the Tennessee Titans before he reportedly requested his release.

His early-career stats and accolades are no doubt impressive.

But given the recent injuries, is he joining Detroit with something to prove? “I’m not out there to prove anybody wrong or prove anything to anybody, more so just to myself to go back out there and continue to make plays and do what I’ve always done,” Adams said. “Obviously, injuries have taken a toll, and I’ve been through the fire with it. But I’m very grateful just to be here … to continue my career, that’s what it’s about.”

With Adams on the practice squad, it’s no sure thing when he’ll make his Lions debut. They could elevate him from the practice squad for Thursday night’s divisional clash with the Green Bay Packers, but that’s not guaranteed.

Campbell assured Sunday that Detroit is “going to play the best players.” It’s up to Adams to prove he belongs.

“We’ll see,” Adams said with a grin when asked how quickly he can be ready to play.