The Lions’ roster diet has begun.
With Friday night’s 26-17 win over the Panthers in the preseason finale, training camp has come to a close and attention turns to the Thursday Night Football opener at defending champion Kansas City.
But first the Lions must slim down from a 90-man roster to 53 by 4 p.m. on Thursday.
The Lions announced the first crop of roster moves Sunday afternoon, with veteran DL Christian Covington and WR Trinity Benson among the most recognizable names to be cut.
Covington, an 8-year NFL who played the last two seasons with the Chargers, signed as a free agent back in May. He was released Sunday, along with OL Bobby Hart, OL Germain Ifedi, WR Jason Moore and RB Devine Ozigbo.
Benson, meanwhile, signed in 2021 and saw minimal production in his first year with 10 catches across eight games for just over 100 yards. He played just one game last season.
Benson was one of eight players to be waived in the first round of cuts Sunday, along with WR Avery Davis, OL Obinna Eze, TE Daniel Helm, OL Alex Mollette, S Scott Nelson, OL Darrin Paulo and CB Colby Richardson.
The first trim of the roster leaves Dan Campbell needing to cut 24 more players by Tuesday's deadline.