Stephen Tulloch is finally healthy, so the Detroit Lions finally bid him adieu.
The Lions cut the linebacker on Tuesday, nearly five months after they first told him he didn't fit into their 2016 plans.
Tulloch's release had been a point of consternation for most of the spring, but the Lions decision to hold onto him all offseason was strictly health related.
Tulloch, who led the Lions with 107 tackles last year, underwent offseason ankle surgery and passed a physical for the first time Tuesday.
Had the Lions released Tulloch earlier this offseason, they would have had to pay him $1.1 million as part of an injury protection settlement, which would have counted against the salary cap.
In March, the Lions paid Tulloch a $500,000 roster bonus that was guaranteed for injury and skill.
Tulloch, who traveled to Detroit a handful of times for physicals this offseason, said during an appearance to promote his children's book last month that his then unresolved release was not injury related.
"No, no, no, no," he said at the time. "It's their world, not mine so it's just kind of how things roll."
Tulloch topped 100 tackles in four of his five seasons with the Lions but missed most of 2014 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
He returned as the team's starting middle linebacker last year, but was benched for most passing downs as the Lions tried to get more athleticism on the field.
Tahir Whitehead, who replaced Tulloch as the team's middle linebacker two years ago, signed a two-year deal at the start of free agency this spring to take over as Tulloch's replacement full time.
DeAndre Levy returns at weakside linebacker after missing most of last season with a hip injury, and Kyle Van Noy took first-team reps at the other outside linebacker spot for most of spring.
Tulloch, 31, amassed 485 tackles in five seasons with the Lions.
He's free to sign with any NFL team.
"As I have said numerous times since I became head coach of the Lions, Stephen Tulloch has been a consummate professional on and off the field," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said in a statement released by the team. "We thank him for his contributions to the Lions and the Detroit community and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors."
