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Stephen Tulloch, James Ihedigbo To Not Return To Lions

By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby

Stephen Tulloch has apparently played his last days in Detroit. The linebacker posted a message on Instagram thanking the Ford family and the fans for "five years of some of the greatest memories of my career." This came after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Tulloch would be cut at the beginning of the new NFL year (March 9).

Tulloch has played for the Lions since 2011, and started in 66 of the 67 games he played in for Detroit. Last season, he started in 15 games and 74 tackles and two forced fumbles. He sat out most of the 2014 season after tearing his ACL during a celebration.

Tulloch might not be the only casualty of new general manager Bob Quinn's new regime. Rapoport also reported that safety James Ihedigbo wouldn't be back in Detroit either, once the 2016 NFL calendar is officially underway in March. Ihedigbo is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and is not expected to be re-signed by the Lions.

Ihedigbo played two seasons in Detroit after stints with the Jets, Patriots and Ravens. Last season for the Lions, Ihedigbo started in eight games and totaled 46 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception.

Joique Bell, the former starting running back for the Lions, was already cut this week, too, after spending nearly his entire career with Detroit.

The Lions will start filling out their roster in the next couple months, with free agency to start in March, and the NFL Draft scheduled for April 28-30.

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