The Detroit Lions announced they have released four players in order to create room for their 2020 unrestricted free agents: running back Tra Carson, guard Casey Tucker, punter Matt Wile, and long snapper James Fischer.
After drafting two running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft — D’Andre Swift in the second round and Jason Huntley in the fifth — Carson was sitting seventh on the Lions depth chart and was squeezed out of the 90-man roster.
The same fate fell true for Tucker, who saw his place on the depth chart compromised by the addition of two draft picks at his position — Jonah Jackson in the third round and Logan Stenberg in the fourth.
After signing UDFAs Aaron Siposs (punter) and Steve Wirtel (long snapper) the Lions had three punters and three long snappers on the roster, and with roster space at a premium, Wile and Fischer were casualties of a numbers game.
The Lions roster is now at 90-players as the veterans begin their virtual offseason programs today.
