Detroit Lions cut TE, add defender to the practice squad

The Detroit Lions continue to tinker with their roster in order to make room for some incoming players. On Thursday, they announced they have waived tight end Anthony Firkser, creating a second vacancy on the 53-man roster—the other from the release of Isaiah Buggs earlier in the week.

Firkser has been the Lions’ TE3 over the past couple of weeks while Brock Wright has been out with an injury. Firkser has mostly been playing in a special teams role over the two weeks—totaling 22 snaps on special teams to just two on offense.

While there has been no official announcement from the team yet, the expectation is for Detroit to use those two roster spots to activate both C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alim McNeill from injured reserve in the upcoming days.

That said, the team is still thin at tight end. Wright remains sidelined with his injury, leaving Pro Bowler Sam LaPorta and James Mitchell as the only two healthy players at the position right now. That said, they could add depth in one of two ways.

They could simply elevate fullback Jason Cabinda off the practice squad for Sunday’s finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Or they could sign Firkser back to the 53-man roster or practice squad—if he clears waivers first—and have him ready for Sunday’s game.

In addition to letting Firkser go, the Lions also used their vacant spot on the practice squad (from Bruce Irvin’s release) to re-sign edge defender Raymond Johnson III. Johnson spent three months on the practice squad before getting cut back in early December.

Detroit currently has two open spots on the 53-man roster and no vacancies on the practice squad.