A year ago at this time, Brad Holmes and the Lions sent two draft picks to the Broncos, including a fifth-rounder, for Trinity Benson. They believed he was a hidden gem in Denver's crowded wide receivers room. They cut him with an injury designation Tuesday as they finalized their 53-man roster.
Benson was one of five players the Lions released as waived/injured. While he flashed his speed in camp and occasionally during the preseason -- six catches for 76 yards in three games -- Benson failed to consistently make plays. That left him expendable in what is now a crowded wide receivers room in Detroit.
Elsewhere on offense, the Lions cut running backs Godwin Igwebuike and Justin Jackson, meaning Jermar Jefferson, a seventh-round pick in 2021, has made the team as the fourth option in a light backfield. Igwebuike was also the club's primary kick returner last season. That job could fall to someone like third-string RB Craig Reynolds this season.
Detroit also thinned out its offensive line depth by cutting four tackles, including veteran Dan Skipper. Of course, that won't be a problem if its loaded offensive line stays healthy.
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On defense, Detroit's notable cuts included DT's Jashon Cornell and Bruce Hector, a pair of veterans who could have added girth to a light defensive line, LB Anthony Pittman and S C.J. Moore, two key contributors on special teams, and LB James Houston, a sixth-round pick nicknamed 'Da Problem' who had a chance to make an impact as a pass rusher.
The Lions also went with kicker Austin Seibert over Riley Patterson.
Prior moves of note are below.
CB AJ Parker has been released, according to the NFL Network. It's a surprising decision after the former undrafted free agent played well for the Lions as a slot corner in his rookie season. It also indicates that the team feels good about rookie CB Chase Lucas, a seventh-round pick who impressed throughout camp, and veteran free agent acquisition Mike Hughes.
In a related move, the Lions have reportedly placed CB Jerry Jacobs on the Physically Unable to Perform list, rendering him inactive for the first four weeks of the season. That will open up a roster spot until Jacobs is fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered last December.
LB Jarrad Davis has been released, according to the NFL Network. The former first-round pick of the Lions won't be extending his career in Detroit. It isn't entirely surprising, given that Davis spent most of training camp and the preseason playing with the Lions' third-team defense. As the 27-year-old acknowledged himself, it may have been his last opportunity in the NFL.
QB Tim Boyle has been released, according to the NFL Network. Boyle had a chance to win the backup job behind Jared Goff, but struggled in camp and likely sealed his own fate with a poor performance in the preseason finale. That leaves David Blough as QB 2 for now, unless the Lions make a move for a more established veteran.
WR Tom Kennedy has been released, according to the NFL Network. Probably the most surprising of the Lions' cuts so far after Kennedy led the team with 16 catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason. He seemed like a good bet to make the roster as the fifth wide receiver, but was done in by the Lions' new depth at the position.
WR Kalil Pimpleton has been cut, according to multiple reports. Another casualty of the Lions' crowded wide receivers room, the undrafted rookie out of Western Michigan caught some eyes in camp and the preseason. We'll see if the Lions keep him around on the practice squad; Pimpleton will likely draw interest from other teams.
TE Devin Funchess has been waived, according to the NFL Network. The former Michigan star had been making a push up a thin depth chart at tight end, but missed Detroit's second preseason game with an injury and fizzled out in the finale.
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