The Detroit Lions are letting go of a second-year cornerback to make room for the return of some injured players and to make room on the roster.
The Lions announced a number of moves before Saturday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, including the release of cornerback Chase Lucas.
The 2022 seventh-round pick played in 12 games this season, but played only a small role on defense, mostly on special teams.
The Lions also released linebacker Trevor Nowaske, who appeared in two games this season and recorded one tackle.
By releasing Lucas and Nowask, the Lions will have more space to activate fullback Jason Cabinda, and more players could return to the defense.
Chase Lucas struggled in training camp Lucas ended up playing a key role on special teams, appearing in 72% of special teams snaps in 12 games this season, but his spot on the team isn’t necessarily secure.
Not that it was.
The Athletic’s Colton Pouncey predicted Lucas would be the next best choice after the team made a significant addition in safety C.J.
Gardner-Johnson and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley could have a hard time making the final roster in the offseason after training camp.
“Lucas, a 2022 seventh-round pick who was named to Detroit’s 53-man roster after a strong preseason, will need a replacement this year,” Pouncey wrote.
“Injuries have kept him out of the field this offseason, and he’ll have more competition in 2023.
He’s in danger of dropping out of the race.
Lucas was ultimately not selected to the final roster, but was placed on the practice squad and added to the active roster in September.
Lions looking for defensive returnees The Lions could be close to having two key players return after long periods on injured reserve.
Gardner-Johnson, who has been sidelined since suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks, was scheduled to return to practice last week.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week that Gardner-Johnson is close to returning to the field, even though the team ruled him out for Saturday’s game against the Cowboys.
“C.J.
It’s close.
He’s getting close,” Campbell told 97.
1 The Ticket via USA Today’s Lions Wire.
“We have to decide what to do there and how close the ‘approach’ is.
The Lions had a strong game from a safe position.
Ifeetu Melifonwu has three sacks and one interception this season and was the winning pitcher in last week’s decisive district win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Coach Campbell said he is looking forward to having two playmakers in the back end of the secondary.
“If (Gardner-Johnson) comes back here, we’re going to have a big problem.
It just brings another playmaker into the game,” Campbell said.
The Lions also activated edge rusher James Houston, who has been on injured reserve since Week 2, into a 21-day practice window.
Like Gardner-Johnson, Houston could return to practice but was unable to participate in Saturday’s game.
Campbell said the team will continue to evaluate the second-year linebacker to determine exactly when he will return to the field.