Lions Activate Joique Bell And Haloti Ngata; Announce Roster Cuts
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
News broke Monday morning that the Lions had traded away kicker Kyle Brindza for tight end Tim Wright, who caught six touchdown passes last year for New England. But with the deadline to slim its roster down to 75 coming on Tuesday, Detroit made several other moves including cuts and activations.
The following players were released on Monday:
TE Deon Butler
WR Ryan Broyles
QB Garrett Gilbert
WR Vernon Johnson
RB Desmond Martin
DT Roy Philon
CB Jocquel Skinner
CB R.J. Stanford
DE Erik Williams
According to the Detroit Free Press, Broyles had actually requested his release, after seeing little playing time last season and even fewer targets in the preseason.
The Lions also activated their expected starter at running back, Joique Bell, off the Physically Unable to Perform list. He practiced on Monday for the first time this offseason.
Also activated was defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, who had been on the active/non-football injury list. He practiced Monday, alongside defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, who has been limited recently from injury as well.
Kyle Van Noy, who hasn't been practicing because of an injury that head coach Jim Caldwell won't specify, was back in his helmet on Monday and running through individual drills. Fellow linebacker DeAndre Levy, however, did not practice.
As far as transactions go, the Lions also put cornerback Chris Owens on injured reserve.
