Lions Cut 11 Players Prior To Deadline
The Lions made a big move on the road that eventually leads to a 53-man roster today, tweeting out that they have parted ways with 11 players.
Released:
- T Bobby Hart
- OL Germain Ifedi
- WR Jason Moore
- RB Devine Ozigbo
Waived:
- WR Trinity Benson
- WR Avery Davis
- OL Obinna Eze
- OL Alex Mollette
- S Scott Nelson
- OL Darrin Paulo
- CB Colby Richardson
The losses of Hart and Ifedi seem like fairly large blows to the offensive line, but the Lions are set to return four of last year’s five starting offensive linemen in Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, and Jonah Jackson. The fifth spot will be re-filled by Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who missed last season due to injury but started at right guard the previous two years. Detroit is absolutely set on their starting five offensive linemen. Hart and Ifedi could’ve likely provided strong depth, but with both at 29 years old, they should land on their feet and perhaps find starting opportunities like they’ve had in the past.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/13/23
Here are today’s minor transactions as we close the first week of the preseason:
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers (from Lions): CB Tae Hayes
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: S Nate Meadors
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Colby Richardson
- Released with injury settlement: C Ross Pierschbacher
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Bobby Evans
- Placed on reserve/retired list: TE Sammis Reyes
Las Vegas Raiders
- Reverted to IR: LB Darius Harris, WR DJ Turner
- Released: DT Kyle Peko
New Orleans Saints
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: G Koda Martin
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB Forrest Rhyne
- Waived/injured: LB Chapelle Russell
Reyes retires from the sport of football after only two years in the league. A former basketball player with dreams of playing in the NBA, Reyes applied for and was admitted into the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program out of Chile. Despite spending time with three teams, Reyes only suited up for regular season action in Washington, where he played 11 games, starting one. As a tight end, Reyes mostly made an impact on special teams during his career. He retires at the age of 27.
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/4/23
Here are today’s minor moves as we head into the weekend:
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on IR: WR Chris Blair, DL Ikenna Enechukwu, QB Feleipe Franks
Baltimore Ravens
- Reverted to reserve/NFI: CB Trayvon Mullen
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Mac McCain
- Waived: CB Colby Richardson
Chicago Bears
- Released: DE Jalyn Holmes
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: LB Cam Bright, TE Miller Forristall, WR Jalen Wayne
- Waived/injured: WR Daylen Baldwin, CB Thomas Graham Jr.
- Waived: P Joseph Charlton, RB Nate McCrary, T Hunter Thedford
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: LB Jonas Griffith (story)
Detroit Lions
- Waived/injured: CB Jarren Williams
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL DJ Scaife
- Placed on IR: C Scott Quessenberry (story)
- Waived from IR: OL Dylan Deatherage
Miami Dolphins
- Waived/injured: FB John Lovett
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: RB Abram Smith
- Waived: FB Zach Ojile
New England Patriots
- Reverted to IR: LB Terez Hall
New York Giants
- Signed: NT Donovan Jeter
- Waived/injured: WR Jeff Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Removed from commissioner’s exempt list: OL Josh Sills
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Daelin Hayes
- Placed on IR: DE Darryl Johnson
Sills was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list back in February when a grand jury indicted him on counts of rape and kidnapping. The charges stem from an event that allegedly took place back in December 2019. Today it was announced that Sills was acquitted of both charges, according to sources at The Athletic. The Eagles released a statement that, with his adjudication, he will return to the team’s active roster.
The 49ers announced that Johnson has been placed on season-ending injured reserve. They didn’t disclose the injury that will sideline the young edge they signed two months ago.
The Vikings are adding the XFL’s 2023 leading rusher in Smith. Smith had 791 rushing yards in 10 games last year.
Panthers Announce 13 UDFA Signings
The Panthers won’t officially sign their undrafted rookies until next week’s minicamp, but the organization still went ahead and announced their 13-man UDFA class:
- DE Jalen Redmond (Oklahoma)
- OLB Travez Moore (Arizona State)
- OLB Eku Leota (Auburn)
- ILB Austin Ajiake (UNLV)
- ILB Bumper Pool (Arkansas)
- CB Colby Richardson (LSU)
- CB Mark Milton (Baylor)
- CB Rejzohn Wright (Oregon State)
- S Nico Bolden (Kent State)
- RB Cam Peoples (Appalachian State)
- WR Josh Vann (South Carolina)
- OT Ricky Lee (North Carolina A&T)
- OG Nash Jensen (North Dakota State)
The Panthers were busy adding linebackers, signing four players at the position. Bumper Pool is the most notable of the bunch, with the linebacker having a productive collegiate career at Arkansas (441 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks). Pool likely would have heard his name called during the draft if not for a hip injury that derailed his final season. Meanwhile, Eku Leota could carve out a role on the edge for Chicago, with the Auburn product compiling 15.5 sacks during his college career.
Cam Peoples was a surprise UDFA after he collected 2,830 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns during his time at Appalachian State. At 6-foot-1 and 217 pounds, the rookie profiles as more of a power back, a role that he could easily fill with Carolina. Josh Vann is now the third South Carolina wideout on the Panthers’ roster, joining Damiere Byrd and Shi Smith.