NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Detroit Lions will be releasing safety Jayron Kearse.
After signing a one-year contract this offseason, Kearse opened the season with a three-game suspension. When he was able to return to the active roster he quickly found himself in a contributing third-safety role. By Week 9, he had taken over starting duties and remained there for seven games before being injured last week.
Like with the Marvin Hall release a few weeks back, the motives here are unclear. Did the player request his release? Are they giving him a chance to play with a playoff contender? Was there an incident behind closed doors? On social media? Was this part of the Lions’ new changing culture? Or is this a way for the Lions to give more opportunities to younger players?
We likely won’t know the answer to any of these questions, but what we do know is the Lions secondary will likely mirror last week’s snap counts, where Duron Harmon and Tracy Walker started with Will Harris in the third-safety role and C.J. Moore as the fourth option.
Kearse finishes his time in Detroit with 59 tackles, a forced fumble, two pass breakups, and a QB hit.
