Detroit Lions Release Local Standout Donovan Peoples-Jones Ahead of NFL Season Start
The Detroit Lions have made some significant moves as the Tuesday deadline looms for NFL teams to finalize their 53-man rosters for the upcoming season. Among the first to go was wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, a Detroit native who played college football at Michigan. Despite being acquired in a trade with the Browns just last year, his release was first reported on Monday by NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Peoples-Jones' tenure with the Lions was seen as underwhelming, managing only five receptions for 58 yards across eight appearances in the previous season. After the departure of Josh Reynolds, there were expectations for Peoples-Jones to step up, however, this did not come to fruition during training camp or the preseason, where he registered a mere two catches for 31 yards, per CBS News. This lack of impact perhaps influenced the Lions' decision as they prep for their regular-season opener at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8.
Other departures from the Lions' roster include tight end Shane Zylstra and defensive end Mitchell Agude, as reported by outlets including the NFL Network and ESPN. Zylstra, fully recovered from a knee injury that kept him out last season, had shown potential with six catches in the preseason. Agude, who was primarily on the team's practice squad last year, had even taken first-team reps this summer in place of an injured Marcus Davenport, according to Audacy.
According to Sports Illustrated, players with three or fewer accrued seasons are subject to the waiver wire, where other teams can place claims on them. Those with more experience could find themselves entering free agency. It opens up the possibility for these players to return to Detroit, possibly as practice squad members, starting Wednesday at noon when NFL teams begin forming their practice squads.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell had previously expressed a collaborative approach to roster decisions, stating, "I do feel like [Brad Holmes and I are] very much on the same page, and we're both very much 'Let's make sure we both feel this way when we wake up and we talk later.' It's a good process, and here we go. We're on Year 4 of this," hinting at the complex and considered decision-making process that continues as the team tries to shape a competitive roster for the new season, as per CBS News.
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