While reports of cuts began trickling in on Monday ahead of the NFL's 4 p.m. Tuesday roster deadline, things are now official.
The Lions have confirmed their roster with the league, with backup QB Nate Sudfeld and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones among the more notable omissions. While NFL teams are limited to 53 players on the roster, the Lions now sit at 52 following these cuts.
The team released the following:
RELEASED: CB Essang Bassey, WR Daurice Fountain, CB Javelin Guidry, LB Joel lyiegbuniwe, T Jamarco Jones, WR Tom Kennedy, TE Sean McKeon, S C.J. Moore, DL Pat O'Connor, DL Kyle Peko, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, QB Nate Sudfeld, LB Ty Summers
WAIVED: LB Mitchell Agude, WR Maurice Alexander, LB Abraham Beauplan, DL Mathieu Betts, G Jake Burton, WR Jalon Calhoun, OL Duke Clemens, LS Scott Daly, WR Kaden Davis, C Kingsley Eguakun, QB Jake Fromm, RB Jake Funk, S Chelen Garnes, CB Steven Gilmore, C Bryan Hudson, RB Jermar Jefferson, RB Zonovan Knight, TE James Mitchell, DL Chris Smith, DL Isaac Ukwu, CB Rachad Wildgoose, TE Shane Zylstra
PLACED ON RESERVE/NFI: OL Christian Mahogany
PLACED ON RESERVE/INJURED (DESIGNATED FOR RETURN): DL Brodric Martin, CB Emmanuel Moseley
WAIVED/INJURED: DL David Bada
In addition to the open roster slot, the Lions are still expected to move DL John Cominsky to the injured reserve, meaning the team will have two spots to fill when the league's claiming period begins.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday night former Broncos WR Tim Patrick is expected to sign with the Lions’ practice squad, "with the idea that he will work his way on to the active roster."
Backup QB decision
The Lions have officially opted to go with Hooker over Sudfeld.
Hooker, a 2023 third-round pick, had 300 yards on 29-of-44 passing with one touchdown and an interception. The dynamic, one-time-Heisman-hopeful at Tennessee added 138 yards and a score on the ground.
Sudfeld, meanwhile, went 27-for-51 for 292 yards with a TD and a pick in two preseason games.
QB Jake Fromm, who saw action in Saturday's preseason finale win over the Steelers, was waived.
Peoples-Jones, Fountain cut, leaving Lions with 4 WRs
A Detroit native who played his college ball at Michigan, the Donovan Peoples-Jones experience never quite panned out in Detroit.
The Lions traded for DPJ at last fall’s trade deadline. While he only recorded five catches for 58 yards in eight appearances last season, he figured to play more of a role this year after the departure of Josh Reynolds in the offseason.
But he never had much of an impact during training camp or three preseason games. He registered just two catches for 31 yards on nine targets, including zeroes across the board in last weekend’s final tune-up against the Steelers.
Wide receivers Daurice Fountain, Tom Kennedy, Kaden Davis, Jalon Calhoun and Maurice Alexander were all also released or waived. The Lions also cut ties with TEs Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell.
The fourth wide receiver spot is now occupied by Isaiah Williams, who had 11 catches for 123 yards — both team-highs — during the preseason.
With one spot open on the 53-man roster, the team could still be eyeing another pass catcher.
Leading preseason tackler, DL who impressed are among defensive cuts
The Lions have waived Mitchell Agude, the team’s leading tackler in preseason. He spent most of last season on the Lions’ practice squad and spent part of this summer with the first team while Marcus Davenport was sidelined with an ankle issue.
Undrafted rookie free agent Isaac Ukwu made his case for the roster during preseason by recording sacks in all three games. But he was left off the final list.
Safety C.J. Moore, who served a year-long suspension for gambling after three decent seasons, was brought back this spring to get a second crack at the roster, but did not make the cut.
Stay tuned to 97.1 The Ticket for Lions coverage on roster deadline day. >>> LISTEN LIVE!