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.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/9/23
18 teams had their seasons come to an end yesterday, and their front offices have already turned the page to the 2023 NFL seaon. This started today, as a number of players were signed to reserve/futures contracts, which allows organizations to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players throughout the offseason. Here are today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Arizona Cardinals
- T Julien Davenport, S Juju Hughes, LB Blake Lynch, TE Chris Pierce, TE Bernhard Seikovits, G Lachavious Simmons, WR Auden Tate, S Josh Thomas, T Badara Traore, WR Javon Wims
Atlanta Falcons
- WR Josh Ali, RB BJ Baylor, OLB Quinton Bell, DL Amani Bledsoe, LB Dorian Etheridge, TE Tucker Fisk, CB Javelin Guidry, CB Matt Hankins, OL Jonotthan Harrison, WR Ra’Shaun Henry, LB Nathan Landman, DB Dylan Mabin, CB Jamal Peters, TE John Raine, FB Clint Ratkovich, CB John Reid, OL Justin Shaffer, OL Tyler Vrabel
Buffalo Bills
- WR Isaiah Coulter, DE Kendal Vickers
Carolina Panthers
- G Deonte Brown, RB Spencer Brown, DE Kobe Jones, LB Arron Mosby, TE Giovanni Ricci, WR C.J. Saunders, TE Stephen Sullivan, DT Raequan Williams, WR Derek Wright
Chicago Bears
- TE Chase Allen, S Adrian Colbert, LB Kuony Deng, T Kellen Diesch, DE Gerri Green, TE Jake Tonges, WR Nsimba Webster
Cleveland Browns
- WR Daylen Baldwin, S Bubba Bolden, WR Mike Harley, LB Storey Jackson, DE Sam Kamara, RB John Kelly, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, DT Roderick Perry, WR Marquez Stevenson, T Tyrone Wheatley
Denver Broncos
- WR Victor Bolden, G Parker Ferguson, CB Faion Hicks, CB Delonte Hood, S Devon Key, RB Tyreik McAllister, OLB Wyatt Ray, OL Hunter Thedford, LB Ray Wilborn
Detroit Lions
- WR Maurice Alexander, WR Stanley Berryhill, T Obinna Eze, S Brady Breeze, CB Khalil Dorsey, RB Jermar Jefferson, WR Tom Kennedy, T Darrin Paulo, DT Demetrius Taylor, CB Jarren Williams
Indianapolis Colts
- DT McTelvin Agim, S Henry Black, S Marcel Dabo, S Trevor Denbow, G Arlington Hambright, T Jordan Murray, LB Segun Olubi, LB Forrest Rhyne, RB Aaron Shampklin, WR Vyncint Smith, CB David Vereen, TE Jalen Wydermyer
Kansas City Chiefs
- WR Ty Fryfogle
Las Vegas Raiders
- CB Isiah Brown, CB Bryce Cosby, P Julian Diaz, S Jalen Elliott, TE Cole Fotheringham, G Vitaliy Gurman, T Sebastian Gutierrez, WR Chris Lacy, LB Kana’i Mauga, G Jordan Meredith, WR DJ Turner, RB Austin Walter, WR Isaiah Zuber
Los Angeles Rams
- TE Roger Carter, DL T.J. Carter, CB T.J. Carter, S Richard LeCounte, T Max Pircher, WR Jaquarii Roberson, WR Jerreth Sterns, DE Brayden Thomas, DE Zach VanValkenburg
New Orleans Saints
- G Yasir Durant, DT Prince Emili, RB Derrick Gore, CB Vincent Gray, TE Lucas Krull, QB Jake Luton, LB Nephi Sewell, DE Jabari Zuniga
New York Jets
- OL Chris Glaser, CB Craig James, CB Jimmy Moreland, DL Marquiss Spencer, QB Chris Streveler, LB Chazz Surratt, WR Malik Taylor
Washington Commanders
- CB Troy Apke, DE William Bradley-King, WR Alex Erickson, CB DaMarcus Fields, QB Jake Fromm, G Nolan Laufenberg, WR Kyric McGowan, T Aaron Monteiro, G Keaton Sutherland
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/31/22
Only practice squad move heading into the New Year:
Detroit Lions
- Placed on practice squad IR: T Obinna Eze
Wednesday NFL Transactions: NFC North
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:
- DB Josh Blackwell (from Eagles), DL Kingsley Jonathan (from Bills), OL Alex Leatherwood (from Raiders), DL Armon Watts (from Vikings), LB Sterling Weatherford (from Colts), TE Trevon Wesco (from Jets) (story)
Released:
- LB Joe Thomas
Waived:
- LB Caleb Johnson, CB Duke Shelley, G Zachary Thomas, DT Khyiris Tonga
Placed on IR:
- WR Tajae Sharpe
Signed to practice squad:
- TE Chase Allen, C Dieter Eiselen, RB Darrynton Evans, CB Thomas Graham Jr., DL Sam Kamara, QB Nathan Peterman
Detroit Lions
Claimed:
- DT Benito Jones (from Bills)
Waived:
Released from IR:
Signed to practice squad:
- WR Maurice Alexander, LB Jarrad Davis, TE Derrick Deese, T Obinna Eze, TE Garrett Griffin, DL Bruce Hector, LB James Houston, RB Justin Jackson, WR Tom Kennedy, CB A.J. Parker, LB Anthony Pittman, T Dan Skipper, CB Saivion Smith
Green Bay Packers
Signed:
Waived:
Signed to practice squad:
- QB Danny Etling, WR Travis Fulgham, CB Rico Gafford, RB Tyler Goodson, LB La’Darius Hamilton, DL Jack Heflin, T Caleb Jones, LB Kobe Jones, DL Chris Slayton, RB Patrick Taylor, CB Kiondre Thomas, LB Ray Wilborn, WR Juwann Winfree
Minnesota Vikings
Waived:
Lions Finalize Initial 53-Man Roster
Detroit got an early start on reducing its roster size Monday, but the team made the final moves toward 53 players Tuesday. Here are the moves from today that got the Lions there:
Released:
- QB Tim Boyle
- LB Jarrad Davis (story)
- TE Devin Funchess
- DL Bruce Hector
- RB Justin Jackson
- T Kendall Lamm
- T Dan Skipper
Waived:
- WR Maurice Alexander
- CB Cedric Boswell
- TE Derrick Deese
- T Obinna Eze
- CB Mark Gilbert
- LB James Houston
- RB Godwin Igwebuike
- WR Tom Kennedy
- CB AJ Parker
- K Riley Patterson
- T Darrin Paulo
- WR Kalil Pimpleton
- LB Anthony Pittman
- CB Saivion Smith
Waived/injured:
- DL Eric Banks
- WR Trinity Benson
- DL Jashon Cornell
- G Kevin Jarvis
- S C.J. Moore
Placed on reserve/physically unable to perform:
- CB Jerry Jacobs
Houston was the only member of the Lions’ 2022 rookie class that failed to make the initial 53-man roster. The young linebacker should have a good chance to land on the team’s 16-man practice squad Wednesday, if he can clear waivers. On the other hand, undrafted defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor found his way onto the roster after a disruptive preseason. Another undrafted rookie, running back Greg Bell, didn’t make the roster, but will remain with the team on Detroit’s injured reserve.
There were a number of surprising, but necessary, cuts today. Igwebuike had a decent chance to make the roster due to his experience and ability returning kicks. Kennedy led the team in catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns during the preseason. His lack of effective use on special teams likely lost him his spot on the final roster. Parker started much of last year at nickel for the Lions. Unfortunately he was expendable after the offseason additions of veteran JuJu Hughes and rookie Chase Lucas.
The winner of the kicking battle has been crowned as Austin Seibert made the final roster over Patterson. Patterson showed plenty of ability during the last couple of weeks and it would be no surprise if he was to be claimed by another team off waivers by tomorrow.
Finally, it appears the backup quarterback battle was won by David Blough, who outperformed Boyle in preseason. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Detroit peruse the mass of recently waived players for a new quarterback. They have the second-highest priority on the waiver wire and should have their pick of the litter if they think they can improve on Blough.