No huge surprises were found among the Lions who were released or waived on Tuesday to cut the roster down to an NFL-mandated 53 players.
The roster is fluid and could change daily. Also, the Lions can bring back 16 players to the practice squad on Wednesday, but they must clear waivers first.
Coach Dan Campbell made it clear on Monday that the Lions will be searching for possible pickups especially since they have the No. 2 chance to sign players (due to last season’s 3-13-1 record).
Since quarterback Tim Boyle was released, it appears that David Blough has won the backup quarterback role at least for now.
Wide receiver Tom Kennedy had a good camp but could have been a victim of numbers and was not solid on special teams. Wide receivers Maurice Alexander and Kalil Pimpleton (the juggler on “Hard Knocks”) were also waived and could reappear on the practice squad. Wide receivers who made the cut are DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond and Quintez Cephus.
Tight end Devin Funchess didn’t make the roster. The Lions are going with tight ends T.J. Hockenson, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell.
LInebacker Jarrad Davis, who the Lions were giving a second chance, was released. Davis was a first-round pick of the Lions in 2017 but they didn’t pick up his fifth-year option in May 2020 and he signed with the Giants.
Kicker Riley Patterson was waived. Patterson and Austin Seibert seemed to be neck and neck in the position battle. Seibert was 10 of 12 on field goals for the Lions in 2021.
The Lions will open the season on Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles at Ford Field.
PLACED ON RESERVE/PUP
CB Jerry Jacobs
RELEASED
QB Tim Boyle
LB Jarrad Davis
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 A.J. 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
Lions Lowdown 