Detroit Lions 2025 Roster Cuts Tracker
The Detroit Lions are making crucial decisions as they trim their roster from 91 players down to 53 by Tuesday at 4 p.m. With the preseason and training camp now in the rearview, the team faces the tough task of cutting players to finalize the roster for the regular season.
Rookie Ahmed Hassanein was granted an exemption through the International Player Pathways program for training camp, but that exemption doesn’t apply for the regular season. As a result, general manager Brad Holmes will need to make some tough calls, letting go of talented players to finalize a deep and competitive roster.
This leaves players on the bubble, like running back Craig Reynolds, feeling the pressure. Reynolds has been a valuable asset to the backfield, but he’s been cut in the past before eventually returning to the team. He understands the emotional toll that comes with the uncertainty of being on the roster bubble.
“It’s definitely tough,” Reynolds said. “Guys are fighting for their dream, competing, putting it all on the line the last month and a half. You just control what you can every day, and whatever happens, happens. It’s tough seeing guys go. The locker room’s going to look a lot different.”
The Lions face two scenarios as they part ways with players. Those with fewer than four accrued NFL seasons will be subject to the waiver wire, where other teams can claim them. The Lions are currently in the 28th spot in the waiver order, based on last season’s win-loss record.
For players with four or more accrued seasons, the Lions will simply release them, though they could bring some back if they open roster spots by placing injured players on injured reserve after the initial cuts.
Head coach Dan Campbell has expressed confidence in Holmes’ ability to make the right decisions with the roster fringe players. Campbell trusts that Holmes has a strong track record when it comes to predicting which players will make it through waivers.
Additionally, the Lions are focused on creating a strong 16-player practice squad, routinely promoting players from within to help the roster in case of injuries.
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