Another piece of rambling news about the Lions surfaced, inspiring supporters just as much as the cornerback who played in 12 games this season.
The Detroit Lions are offloading a second-year cornerback to free up space on the roster so that some of their injured players can return.
The release of cornerback Chase Lucas was among the several changes the Lions announced prior to their game against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. The 2022 seventh-round selection participated in 12 games so far this season, but he mostly played special teams and played a limited defensive role.
Trevor Nowaske, a linebacker who made one tackle in two games this season, was also released by the Lions. With more players possibly returning to defense, the Lions were able to activate fullback Jason Cabinda after releasing Lucas and Nowaske.
Trouble Arose at Training Camp for Chase Lucas
Despite playing a significant part on special teams—he appeared in 72% of special teams snaps through 12 games this season—Lucas’s position on the squad wasn’t always guaranteed. Lucas might have problems making the final roster following training camp, according to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy, following the team’s significant offseason additions of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.
Lucas, a 2022 seventh-round selection who made Detroit’s 53-man roster following a successful preseason, needs to repeat this year, according to Pouncy. He has been sidelined by injuries this offseason, and in 2023, there will be more competition. He runs the risk of getting left behind.
Lucas was added to the practice squad and signed to the active roster in September, but he didn’t make the final roster cut.
Lions Searching for Back-End Players
After extended periods on injured reserve, two important players for the Lions may soon return. Gardner-Johnson, who hasn’t played since sustaining a torn pectoral muscle during the Seattle Seahawks’ Week 2 defeat, was cleared to go back to practice this past week.
Gardner-Johnson was ruled out of the Lions’ game against the Cowboys on Saturday, but head coach Dan Campbell of the team stated this week that he was getting closer to playing again.
“C.J.’s conclusion. Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket, as reported by USA Today’s Lions Wire, “He’s close.” “We need to determine what our plan is there and how close is close.”
Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu has been a standout player for the Lions this season. He has three sacks and one interception, including a game-winning pick in last week’s division-clinching victory over the Minnesota Vikings. In the back of the secondary, Campbell expressed his excitement about having two playmakers.
When [Gardner-Johnson] returns, we will have a great issue to deal with. Just another playmaker gets added to the mix, according to Campbell.
James Houston, an edge rusher for the Lions who had been placed on injured reserve since Week 2, was also allowed to practice for the next 21 days. Houston would be permitted to resume practice, just like Gardner-Johnson, but they were eliminated from Saturday’s contest. In order to determine the precise date of the second-year linebacker’s return to the field, Campbell stated that the team would keep assessing.
According to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Campbell stated, “He’s looking pretty good.” This is merely another opportunity to ignite him. Brad Holmes and I will discuss it after our workday is over.
