Lions Release Leshoure, Roster To 53
2:50pm: The Lions have announced their remaining cuts, per Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. In addition to the players listed below, the following players have been let go:
- Rodney Austin, OL
- Patrick Edwards, WR
- Andre Fluellen, DL
- Emil Igwenagu, RB
- Nate Ness, S
- Andrew Peacock, WR
- Xavier Proctor, DL
- Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, DL
- Julian Stanford, LB
- Jordan Thompson, TE
1:45pm: The Lions have let go of one of Matthew Stafford‘s favorite targets, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (via Twitter) that the team has released wideout Kris Durham.
The 26-year-old finished 2013 with career-highs in receptions (38) and yards (490). He also led all of the Lions offensive skill players in snaps, even topping All-Pro Calvin Johnson.
The Lions weren’t done there, as they released an additional six players:
- Chris Greenwood, CB (via Birkett on Twitter)
- Shamari Benton, LB (via Birkett on Twitter)
- Brandon Hepburn, LB (via Birkett on Twitter)
- Michael Egnew, TE (via Rand Getlin on Twitter)
- Michael Williams, OT (via Birkett on Twitter)
- George Winn, RB (via Birkett on Twitter)
11:40am: The Lions’ starting running back from 2012 is no longer on the roster, as the team informed Mikel Leshoure today that he’s being waived as the 53-man cutdown deadline nears, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. While the move leaves a little dead money on Detroit’s cap, the team avoids having to pay the running back his non-guaranteed base salary for 2014.
Leshoure wasn’t the only veteran among the Lions’ cuts today. Here’s the complete running list:
- Darren Keyton, C (via Birkett on Twitter)
- Mikel Leshoure, RB
- Garrett Reynolds, OL (via Pro Football Talk on Twitter)
- Mohammed Seisay, CB (via Michael Rothstein on Twitter)
- Darryl Tapp, DE (via Josh Katzenstein on Twitter)
NFC Rumors: Saints, Cowboys, Peppers, Guion
Having reportedly turned down an opportunity to meet with the Dolphins, free agent tackle Zach Strief expects to re-sign with the Saints, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (via Twitter). It’d be interesting to see Strief sign back with New Orleans, since he was expected to do well on the open market and the Saints don’t have a lot of cap flexibility. As we saw with the Jairus Byrd contract though, the team could find a way to squeeze him in, particularly with Darren Sproles‘ deal off the books.
Here are a few more brief notes from around the NFC:
- The Cowboys have shown interest in recently released defensive end Julius Peppers, according to Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com. In search of defensive line help, the team also plans to host Henry Melton, as we heard earlier.
- Former Vikings defensive tackle Letroy Guion is considering the Ravens, Patriots, and Packers in free agency, says Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter). According to Tomasson, Guion, who has already visited New England, will meet with Green Bay on Sunday unless he has a deal in place before then.
- Darryl Tapp‘s new one-year deal with the Lions is a minimum salary benefit contract, with a base salary of $855K and a signing bonus of $65K, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. It’ll count against Detroit’s cap for $635K.
Lions Sign Darryl Tapp
4:42pm: It’s a one-year deal for Tapp, the Lions have confirmed (Twitter link via Birkett).
1:19pm: The Lions will be signing free agent defensive lineman Darryl Tapp, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Birkett adds in a second tweet that Tapp, who will replace Willie Young at defensive end, wanted to be reunited with Detroit defensive coach Jim Washburn, who worked with Tapp in Philadelphia.
Earlier this week, we learned that Tapp, an unrestricted free agent, wouldn’t be rejoining the Redskins. The former second round pick saw time in 11 games for Washington last season and, statistically, had his least productive season with seven tackles and one sack.
FA Rumors: DRC, Ginn, Whitehurst, Burleson
As one of the few notable cornerbacks remaining on the market, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is still searching for a deal. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the Jets are one team that has been in touch with DRC’s camp about the free agent, as New York remains in the market for cornerback help. Here are a few more Thursday free agent updates:
- After missing out on receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones, the Giants are eyeing Ted Ginn Jr., a player capable of filling a similar role, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
- Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean thinks there’s a reasonable chance the Titans and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst will work something out (Twitter link). Wyatt reported earlier today that Whitehurst was visiting with the club.
- The Titans are also exhibiting interest in wide receiver Nate Burleson, who was released by the Lions before the start of the free agent period, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
- The Steelers are “really interested” in defensive end Alex Carrington, and will host him for a visit tonight, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Pittsburgh has already lost Ziggy Hood in free agency and may part ways with Brett Keisel as well.
- Linebacker Darryl Tapp is among the players visiting the Lions today, reports Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
- Free agent center Phil Costa is visiting the Colts today and Bengals tomorrow, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Redskins Rumors: Clark, Tapp, Carroll, Talib
Reports have surfaced suggesting Ryan Clark won’t sign with the Redskins despite visiting the team today, but agent Joel Turner is adamant that his client wouldn’t meet with the club unless he had interest, says Mike Jones of the Washington Post. According to Jones, Clark has other suitors, but is intrigued by the idea of returning to Washington (Twitter links). Here’s more on the Redskins:
- Unrestricted free agent Darryl Tapp won’t be returning to the Redskins, agent Fletcher Smith tells ESPN.com’s John Keim (Twitter link).
- The Redskins have not inquired on free agent cornerback Nolan Carroll, tweets Chris Russell of ESPN Radio 980. Carroll is a University of Maryland product, which would make him of interest to many Skins fans.
- The Redskins were one of the teams to express interest in Aqib Talib before he signed with Denver, the cornerback confirmed today (Twitter link via Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com). Talib also suggested that the Pats, 49ers, and Saints inquired.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.