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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions WR KhaDarel Hodge Reworks Contract

September 4th, 2021 at 10:39am CST by Ben Levine

After getting claimed off waivers by the Lions this week, wideout KhaDarel Hodge has taken a pay cut. The wide receiver has agreed to a restructured deal, per ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter).

Hodge was previously set to earn a non-guaranteed $2.133MM, and it looked like the receiver was about to earn zilch when he was waived by the Browns earlier this week. Now, he’ll earn a $920K base salary, with at least the $80K signing bonus being guaranteed.

The 2018 undrafted free agent spent his rookie season with the Rams before catching on with the Browns in 2019. He ended up seeing time in 25 games (one start) during his two years in Cleveland, hauling in 15 receptions for 256 yards. Hodge has also been productive on special teams, including a 2019 season where he finished with 13 tackles.

Detroit will likely use Hodge in a similar special teams role, but there could be some opportunities for him on offense. The 26-year-old will be joining a depth chart that’s currently led by the likes of Tyrell Williams, Kalif Raymond, Quintez Cephus, and Tom Kennedy.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/2/21

September 2nd, 2021 at 8:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s practice squad moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: LS Steven Wirtel
  • Cut: DT Willington Previlon

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Lions Re-Sign TE Darren Fells, Place QB Tim Boyle On IR

September 2nd, 2021 at 9:53am CST by Sam Robinson

As expected, the Lions will begin their season without backup quarterback Tim Boyle. A thumb injury will sideline him into October, with the team placing the former Packers reserve on IR Thursday.

The team also stashed defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand on IR. Players placed on IR after roster cutdown day are eligible to return after three games. This is Hand’s fourth IR stay in four seasons.

Detroit also brought back one of its offseason additions, re-signing tight end Darren Fells a day after releasing him. Fells made it through to the Lions’ 53-man roster after cut day but was dropped on Wednesday. The former college hoops standout-turned-red zone target signed with the Lions in May.

Fells joins T.J. Hockenson as the only tight ends on Detroit’s active roster. This will be Fells’ age-35 season and second with Detroit. He was on the 2017 Lions before relocating to Cleveland and then Houston. With the Texans, Fells caught 11 touchdown passes over the past two years.

Boyle’s injury leaves David Blough as the only QB behind Jared Goff on the Lions’ active roster. This marks Blough’s third year with the team.

Additionally, the Lions also re-signed safety Dean Marlowe on Thursday. A Bills contributor from 2018-20, Marlowe joined Fells in being dropped from the roster for procedural purposes Wednesday.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North

September 1st, 2021 at 6:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings moves are noted below.

Here are Wednesday’s NFC North transactions, which will continue to be updated throughout the day.

Chicago Bears

Claimed:

Signed:

Waived:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Detroit Lions

Released/Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Green Bay Packers

Signed to practice squad:

Minnesota Vikings

Signed:

Claimed:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Lions Claim K Austin Seibert

September 1st, 2021 at 11:43am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have claimed kicker Austin Seibert from the Bengals, per the league’s official transactions wire. Meanwhile, they’ve also claimed wide receiver Khadarel Hodge from the Browns.

The Lions dropped Randy Bullock and Zane Gonzalez on Tuesday, leaving them with zero kickers at the end of the business day. Now, they’ve got Seibert, a 24 year-old (25 in November) leg with 21 career games to his credit.

Seibert enjoyed a solid 2019 with the Browns, banking 86.2% of his field goals including 9-of-12 from 40-49 yards out. The Browns dropped him after a bad showing in September, leading him to the Bengals. Seibert went 6-of-8 on FG tries in Cincinnati, but lost out on the kicking competition this year.

Lions Down To 53

August 31st, 2021 at 3:26pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have their 53-man roster in place. On Tuesday, the Lions officially cut:

Released

Waived

Placed on Reserve/Suspended

The Lions will carry three quarterbacks for now in Jard Goff, Tim Boyle, and David Blough. Boyle is currently dealing with an injured thumb, which will keep him sidelined for two months. But, in order to hang on to him and dress him ASAP, they’ll have to carry him on their initial 53-man roster. Fortunately, Goff has proven largely durable during his five-year career. He did not miss a start due to injury until late last season, when a thumb surgery sidelined him.

Lions QB Tim Boyle To Miss Time

August 31st, 2021 at 2:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions’ quarterback group will take a hit ahead of the regular season’s outset. Recently acquired backup Tim Boyle is set to miss time due to thumb surgery, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.

Stationed as Jared Goff‘s backup, Boyle is set to be out nearly two months. In order for Boyle to practice this season and back up Goff upon recovering, the Lions will need to carry him onto their 53-man roster.

Detroit signed Boyle earlier this year. He spent the past two seasons as Aaron Rodgers‘ backup in Green Bay, but Jordan Love moved up a spot on the Pack’s depth chart this offseason. The Packers non-tendered Boyle as a restricted free agent as a result.

Third-year passer David Blough is the only other quarterback on Detroit’s roster, so the rebuilding team may make a move here. However, Goff has proven largely durable during his five-year career. Goff did not miss a start due to injury until late last season, when a thumb surgery sidelined him.

Lions To Cut WR Geronimo Allison

August 31st, 2021 at 9:37am CST by Sam Robinson

Geronimo Allison‘s bid to return to action after a 2020 opt-out decision is on hold. The Lions informed the veteran wide receiver he did not make their 53-man roster Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

The former Packers wideout will follow fellow veteran Breshad Perriman out the door in Detroit, which is going with Tyrell Williams and a host of young receivers. The Lions also acquired third-year wideout Trinity Benson from the Broncos on Tuesday morning.

An ex-UDFA, Allison served as a four-year Green Bay contributor. In 2019, he played in 16 games and made six starts. In four Green Bay slates, Allison totaled 89 catches for 1,045 yards and six touchdowns. The Lions signed him in March 2020 but will cut ties nearly 18 months later without the 27-year-old veteran having played in a regular-season game.

Detroit has revamped its receiving corps considerably this offseason, to go along with its Matthew Stafford-for-Jared Goff swap. Goff’s weaponry will enter the season as one of the league’s lowest-profile receiving groups.

Lions To Waive LB Jahlani Tavai

August 31st, 2021 at 8:45am CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions attempted to find a taker for former second-round pick Jahlani Tavai ahead of Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline, but no such trade materialized. Detroit’s new regime is moving on, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

This marks another recent second-round pick to falter in Detroit. The Lions waived 2018 second-rounder Kerryon Johnson earlier this year. After going off the 2019 draft board 43rd overall, Tavai is now on waivers.

Tavai came up in trade talks as recently as Monday, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, but Brad Holmes and Co. instead ended up cutting the Bob Quinn-era draftee. The Lions used Tavai as a starter in 16 games — 10 in 2020. Pro Football Focus graded the University of Hawaii product as one of the worst off-ball ‘backers in the league last season.

That said, two years remain on Tavai’s rookie contract. The young middle linebacker profiles as a potential waiver claim elsewhere. Teams have until 3pm today to pare their rosters down to 53 players, but subsequent waiver claims will change franchises’ roster constructions.

Broncos To Trade WR Trinity Benson To Lions

August 31st, 2021 at 8:20am CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions will add to their receiver room on roster cutdown day. They are sending two draft choices to the Broncos in exchange for wideout Trinity Benson, Mike Klis of 9News tweets.

A 2019 UDFA, Benson will join a less experienced Detroit receiving corps and fetch Denver fifth- and seventh-round picks in 2022. The Lions will receive a 2023 sixth-rounder from the Broncos.

Benson played well in the preseason with the Broncos, catching eight passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns to play a minor role in the team’s quarterback competition. But the Division II product was not going to advance far on a team housing Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler and Tim Patrick atop its depth chart. Benson spent the bulk of the past two seasons on Denver’s practice squad and signed two reserve/futures contracts with the team.

Detroit released Breshad Perriman earlier this week and features a new-look receiver group, headlined by free agent signing Tyrell Williams, after letting Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones defect in free agency. The 6-foot Benson figures to see his first game action as a pro soon.

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