Lions Sign CB Crezdon Butler
The Lions announced that they have re-signed cornerback Crezdon Butler. To make room, defensive tackle Stefan Charles has been placed on IR. 
The signing of Butler could be a sign that Darius Slay will not be able to go in Week 17. Slay has been dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of action in Week 16 against the Cowboys. This week, they hope to have him in uniform as they take on the Packers in a game that will decide the NFC North championship.
Butler had two separate stints with Detroit last year but he has yet to appear in an NFL game in 2016. Over the years, he has seen action with the Steelers, Cardinals, Bills, Redskins, Chargers, Bucs, and Seahawks.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/1/16
Tuesday is workout day in the NFL, and today was no different. Due to the sheer volume of today’s auditions, we’ll split up the reports by conference:
AFC
- The Dolphins worked out players on both sides of the ball. ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets that the team auditioned running back Jonas Gray and defensive end Martin Ifedi.
- Besides signing Bishop Sankey, the Chiefs also worked out running backs Trent Richardson and Vick Ballard, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Caplan tweets that the team also worked out defensive end Rakim Cox and wideout Marcus Johnson.
- The Colts worked out a trio of defenders today, according to Caplan (via Twitter): defensive tackle Jordan Hill, inside linebacker Nate Irving, and linebacker Danny Lansanah.
- Three offensive tackles worked out for the Jets, according to Caplan (on Twitter): Rob Crisp, Pierce Burton, and Jesse Davis.
- The Titans auditioned three wideouts and two guards, according to Caplan (on Twitter). Receivers Jeremy Ross, Dres Anderson, and Jonathan Krause were in for workouts, as were offensive guards Dallas Thomas and Josh LeRibeus.
NFC
- The Bears worked out a pair of defensive backs, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter): Rashaad Reynolds and Ryan White. The team also worked out former Patriots offensive lineman Bryan Stork, as well as running back Daniel Davie.
- Caplan reports (via Twitter) that the Lions hosted a number of players this afternoon: tight end Matthew Mulligan, linebackers Ben Jacobs and Trevor Bates, and cornerbacks Crezdon Butler and Jeremiah McKinnon.
- Three cornerbacks worked out for the Packers, according to Caplan (on Twitter): Duke Thomas, Cleveland Wallace, and Larry Scott.
- Before adding Vinnie Sunseri to the practice squad, the 49ers took a look at former Saints defensive back Marcus Ball (via Nick Underhill on Twitter). Caplan adds that the team also auditioned defensive tackle Lars Koht and defensive end Mike Rose.
- The Seahawks worked out cornerback Pierre Desir, reports Caplan (via Twitter).
Lions Cut Several Players
The Lions are inching closer to the 75-man limit in advance of the Tuesday deadline. On Monday, the Lions announced that the following players have been dropped:
- CB Crezdon Butler
- TE Matthew Mulligan
- WR Quinshad Davis
- OG Chase Farris
- DE Quanterus Smith
- DE Louis Palmer
- DE Deonte Gibson
- CB Rashaad Reynolds
- K Devon Bell
The Lions have also placed rookie long snapper Jimmy Landes on injured reserve. That means Don Muhlbach will likely continue to serve as the Lions’ long snapper.
Earlier today, the Lions also released offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, meaning that they have shed ten players from the roster today. With today’s transactions, the Lions roster currently stands at 78 players.
Lions Retain Crezdon Butler, Don Muhlbach
The Lions opted to keep reserve cornerback Crezdon Butler and long snapper Don Muhlbach, according to the team’s website. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Butler’s ventured to several NFL destinations since arriving in the NFL as a Steelers fifth-rounder in 2010. The 29-year-old corner served as secondary depth for Detroit, which lost now-retired Rashean Mathis, for the season. He’s played for eight teams and suited up in 45 games, making three starts — all for the Buccaneers in 2014.
Butler spent training camp with the Lions in 2015 before rejoining the team midseason after spending time with the Seahawks.
Muhlbach has been the Lions’ specialty snapper since 2004. Only the seventh player to play in 180 games for the Lions, Muhlbach is the team’s longest-tenured player by a wide margin now that Calvin Johnson announced his retirement.
Lions Place Rashean Mathis On IR
Due to a concussion sustained in Week 7 against the Vikings, Lions starting right cornerback Rashean Mathis will head to injured reserve, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com reports.
Well-traveled sixth-year corner Crezdon Butler will take Mathis’ place on the Lions’ 53-man roster.
The 35-year-old’s started 36 games for the Lions since coming over from Jacksonville as a free agent in 2013. The Lions re-signed Mathis to a $3.5MM deal prior to this season, and per Twentyman, this setback places his future with the team — and probably the league — in question.
Mathis’ contract extends into 2016, but the veteran’s deal contains just $375K worth of dead money. The Lions would save $1.5MM by parting ways with the 13-year veteran.
The contract stipulates a $500K roster bonus will be due on the third day of the 2016 league year, and Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter) doesn’t expect the Lions to pay it.
Mathis, who’s snared 32 career interceptions since being selected in the second round of the 2003 draft, experienced consistent headaches since the injury, and Detroit opted to put him on IR after he spent time in the league’s concussion protocol.
The Lions started 2014 fourth-rounder Nevin Lawson in Mathis’ place in London two weeks ago.
Butler’s spent time with eight other teams since 2010, most recently seeing action with the Seahawks in Week 6.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/20/15
Today’s minor NFL signings, cuts, and other moves..
- The Colts have signed free agent cornerback Tony Carter, reports Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Carter had previous experience with the Broncos.
- The Saints released Anthony Spencer from IR, reports Eric Woodbery of the Times-Picayune (via Twitter).
- The Chiefs have re-signed receiver Fred Williams, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter). The team has also released receiver Kenny Cook.
- The Jaguars have cut Ziggy Hood from IR, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The team has also placed Tony Washington and Corey Grant on IR (via Twitter).
- The Titans have signed former 49ers offensive lineman Joe Looney, per Wilson (via Twitter). The team also cut Connor Neighbors from IR (via Twitter).
- The Eagles have cut B.J. McBryde from IR with a non-football injury designation, according to Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Giants have cut safety Cooper Taylor, per Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Lions cut Taylor Boggs, writes Wilson (via Twitter).
Earlier today:
- The Browns are signing linebacker Jayson DiManche off the Chiefs‘ taxi squad, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. DiManche will take the roster spot previously filled by running back Shaun Draughn, who has been waived, as Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal writes. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound DiManche has appeared in 28 regular-season games with one start, all with the Bengals. Draughn appeared in five games this season for Cleveland with two carries for 10 yards.
- The Falcons signed linebacker Philip Wheeler and released safety Charles Godfrey, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com tweets.
- The Lions have claimed guard/tackle Michael Ola off waivers from the Chargers, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. Ola has yo-yo’d between the Chargers’ 53-man roster and the taxi squad all season long.
- The Colts promoted safety Dewey McDonald from the practice squad, as Stephen Holder of the Indy Star tweets. The Colts also cut Amarlo Herrera and cornerback Shaun Prater, Wilson tweets.
- The Seahawks signed Lemuel Jeanpierre and cut Crezdon Butler, as Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times tweets.
- The Seahawks also placed linebacker Brock Coyle on IR-DTR, Gregg Bell of The News Tribune tweets.
- The Chargers will sign safety Adrian Phillips from the practice squad as early as today, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets.
- The Raiders re-signed strong safety Taylor Mays, according to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).
- The Saints have signed wide receiver T.J. Graham, according to a source who spoke with Wilson (Twitter link).
- The Vikings signed Kenrick Ellis and placed Shamar Stephen on IR, Wilson tweets.
- The Jaguars moved wide receiver Neal Sterling to the active roster and signed safety Craig Loston, John Oehser of Jaguars.com tweets.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/12/15
Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL..
- The Seahawks will sign cornerback Crezdon Butler on Tuesday, a source tells Rand Getlin of NFL.com (on Twitter). Butler will add depth to Seattle’s banged up secondary.
- The Rams released running back Trey Watts, just one week after he returned from a four-game suspension, as Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch tweets. Watts, who joined the Rams in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa, earned a spot on the club’s regular season roster last season. He didn’t see the field much, but the 24-year-old received a handful of offensive snaps, rushing seven times for 30 yards and catching three passes for 18 yards. Watts also contributed on special teams, recording seven tackles in kick and punt coverage.
- The Jets waived tight end Wes Saxton to clear a roster spot for Sheldon Richardson, as Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.
- Cardinals linebacker Kenny Demens suffered an ACL and will be put on IR, coach Bruce Arians told reporters, including Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Demens originally signed with Arizona as a UDFA in 2013.
- The Chargers waived safety Adrian Phillips to make room for the returning Antonio Gates, according to U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken. Phillips provided the Chargers depth and special-teams help after starting strong safety Jahleel Addae suffered a Week 1 ankle injury.
Seahawks Work Out Robert McClain, Six Others
The Seahawks worked out a large group of players recently, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Among the attendants were running back Cyrus Gray and cornerbacks Robert McClain, Marc Anthony, Crezdon Butler, Chimdi Chekwa, Brandon McGee, and Trovon Reed.
McClain may be the most established of this group, as the former seventh-round pick played a big role for the Falcons over the past three seasons. The 27-year-old was in camp with the Patriots, but he was ultimately cut. Chekwa, a former fourth-rounder, also spent time with the Patriots this preseason, and he briefly landed with the Raiders after being cut by New England.
Butler started three games with the Buccaneers last season, compiling a career-high 14 tackles. McGee, meanwhile, only played two games in 2014, following a 2013 campaign where he made 15 appearances.
Anthony and Reed have bounced around practice squads and have yet to make an NFL appearance.
Gray spent the first three seasons of his career with the Chiefs, where he managed to rush for 99 yards on 24 carries. He’s also hauled in nine catches for 64 yards.
Workout Notes: Bears, Broncos, Packers
Here’s a roundup of today’s auditions from around the NFL. All links go to Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle on Twitter), unless noted otherwise..
- The Lions worked out nose tackle Kenrick Ellis, nose tackle Ishmaa’ily Kitchen, and defensive end Jerel Worthy, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes.
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The Seahawks worked out cornerbacks Crezdon Butler and Chimdi Chekwa, Rand Getlin of NFL.com tweets.
- The Bears worked out wide receivers Marcus Lucas and Nathan Palmer, guard Cole Manhart, and tackles Tyler Moore and Byron Stingily (link).
- The Broncos worked out punter Kasey Redfern (link).
- The Packers worked out running back Akeem Hunt, wide receiver Donatella Luckett, quarterback Phillip Sims, wide receiver Tyler Slavin, running back Dreamius Smith, linebacker Colton Underwood, and linebacker Matthew Wells (link).
- The Dolphins worked out wide receivers Isaiah Burse and Rannell Hall, defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel, guards Vinston Painter and Anthony Steen, defensive tackle Olsen Pierre, linebacker Mike Reilly, strong safety Brandian Ross, and defensive end Quanterus Smith (link + link).
- The Saints worked out punter Steven Clark, guard Travis Bond, punter Robert Malone, guard Jacques McClendon, and punter Brian Moorman (link).
- The Giants worked out defensive end Jake Bequette, tight end Cameron Clear, quarterback Cody Fajardo, and tight end Brian Leonhardt (link).
- The Jets worked out defensive end DeAngelo Tyson (link).
- The Bucs worked out linebacker Ronald Powell (link).
- The Titans worked out David Arkin, James Brewer, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Alex Kupper, Joe Looney, and Cody White (link).
- Defensive tackle Joe Vellano worked out for the Lions today (link).
Lions Reach 53-Man Roster
The Lions slashed their roster to the 53-man regular-season limit and included a couple of notable names in their cuts.
Veteran defensive lineman Corey Wootton did not make the roster after joining the Lions this offseason. The 28-year-old made 22 starts for the Bears in 2012-13 before serving as a Vikings backup last season.
To make room for Zach Zenner and Tim Wright, respectively, Detroit waived George Winn and Joseph Fauria. After releasing former Boise State star Kellen Moore, the Lions also will go into a season with just two quarterbacks for the first time since 2009.
The remainder of Detroit’s cuts are as follows:
- Al Bond, OL
- Crezdon Butler, DB
- Braxston Cave, OL
- Jermelle Cudjo, DL
- Kerry Hyder, DL
- Emil Igwenagu, RB
- Isaiah Johnson, DB
- Joe Madsen, OL
- Nate Ness, DB
- Casey Pierce, TE
- Xavier Proctor, OL
- Jeremy Ross, WR
- Greg Salas, WR (placed on IR)
- Julian Stanford, LB
- Brian Suite, DB
- Larry Webster, DL
- Torrian Wilson, OL
- Jerel Worthy, DL