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Zack Follett's Career With The Lions Over After Neck Injury

A message posted on LB Zack Follett's Twitter feed Tuesday was the first sign that Follett's neck injuries will force him to leave the Detroit Lions. "Respect to Schwartz Mayhew Lewand didnt want to risk a life threatening injury after seeing my pain," Follett wrote. "Someone had to make the tough decision!"

Follett hurt his neck last season against the New York Giants and was put on IR after the injury. Follett was praised by coach Schwartz after the first day of practice because of his hard work and ability to also play special teams.

Team President Tom Lewand confirmed the release of Follett and expressed his gratitude for what the player had contributed to the team. "(It's) a credit to him that he worked as hard as he did during the offseason to be at a point where he could return to football. We made a decision that I think was in our best interest and I think probably in his best interest." said Lewand.

The recent signings of Justin Durant and Stephen Tulloch were factors in the release of Follett.

Lewand continued saying, "We just felt like (releasing Follett) was, again, the right thing for us and the right thing for him."

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