OK, after several months of work, the Lions whittled the roster to 53 men today.
The roster features a few surprises. They’ve gone with youth on the defensive line at least until Armonty Bryant and Khyri Thornton return from their suspensions.
This is just the start of getting the roster to GM Bob Quinn’s liking. Don’t be surprised if they add and subtract prior to the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Here’s a look by position:
QBs (2)
Matthew Stafford
Jake Rudock
CUT: Brad Kaaya
SKINNY: Jim Caldwell typically keeps just two quarterbacks so this isn’t a surprise. Kaaya could be signed to the practice squad
WRs (5)
Golden Tate
Marvin Jones
Kenny Golladay
Jared Abbrederis
TJ Jones
CUT: Jace Billingsley, Dontez Ford, Michael Rector, Noel Thomas
SKINNY: TJ Jones looked strong in camp. The final battle could have been between Abbrederis who has more NFL experience than Billingsley who spent most of last season on the practice squad.
RBs (5)
Ameer Abdullah
Theo Riddicck
Zach Zenner
Dwayne Washington
Tion Green (rookie)\
CUT: Matt Asiata
SKINNY:: Not much drama at this position. The big question was whether Green, an undrafted rookie, could make the cut. The top four were locks.
TIGHT ENDS (4)
Eric Ebron
Darren Fells
Michael Roberts (rookie)
CUT: Cole Wick, Khari Lee, Robert Tonyan, Scott Orndoff
SKINNY:: Ebron must be ready to go after missing much of camp with a hamstring injury. Last year they kept four tight ends.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
G T.J. Lang
G Graham Glasgow
G Brandon Thomas
G/C Joe Dahl
C Travis Swanson
T Rick Wagner
T Greg Robinson
T Cornelius Lucas
T Corey Robinson
PUP: Taylor Decker
CUT: Storm Norton, Nick Becton, Leo Koloamatangi, Connor Bozick
SKINNY:: Laken Tomlinson was traded Thursday which opened a spot for Brandon Thomas. One of the Robinsons — Greg or Corey — should start at left tackle until Decker return from shoulder surgery.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9)
DE Ziggy Ansah
DE Anthony Zettel
DE Jeremiah Valoaga (rookie)
DE Cornelius Washington
DE Alex Barrett (rookie)
DT Haloti Ngata
DT A’Shawn Robinson
DT Akeem Spence
DT Jeremiah Ledbetter (rookie)
SUSPENDED: Armonty Bryant (first four games), Khyri Thornton (first six games).
CUT: Pat O’Connor, Ego Ferguson, Caushaud Lyons, Giorgio Newberry, Derrick Lott
SKINNY: It’s a young D-line until Bryant and Thornton return with a bit more experience. Barrett and Valoaga earned the spots with their preseason play.
LINEBACKER (6)
Jarrad Davis (rookie)
Tahir Whitehead
Nick Bellore
Steve Longa
Paul Worrilow
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (rookie)
CUT: Antwione Williams, Thurston Armbrister
SKINNY: Bellore, who is a solid special teams contributor, beat out Williams for a spot. Williams had looked like a lock until they played him late in the final preseason game. Still a bit of a surprise that he is gone.
DEFENSIVE BACKS (11)
S Glover Quin
S Don Carey
S Miles Killebrew
S Tavon Wilson
S Charles Washington
CB Darius Slay
CB Quandre Diggs
CB Nevin Lawson
CB D.J. Hayden
CB Teez Tabor (rookie)
CB Jamal Agnew (rookie)
TRADED: Johnson Bademosi (to Patriots)
CUT: Alex Carter, Rolan Milligan, Adairius Barnes, Tramain Jacobs, Josh Thornton
SKINNY: So long Alex Carter who had been moved to safety from corner. He just never got going after he was a third-round pick in 2015. No real surprises. Agnew is in the hunt to return punts. Don Carey’s strength is special teams.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
K Matt Prater
P Kasey Redfern
LS Don Muhlbach
NFI: P Sam Martin
SKINNY: Redfern’s good preseason earned him a job until Martin is ready to return.
Lions Lowdown 