Detroit Lions Roster: Who’s Staying? Who’s Going?

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) gets past Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday the Detroit Lions roster was cut to 53 players, trimming a total of 22 individuals from the roster in preparation for the regular season which begins on September 8th. Head coach Jim Caldwell and general manager Martin Mayhew were faced with a multitude of tough decisions, all of which were not fun to make.

Via detroitlions.com:

"“In this city, in particular, and around the area people understand and know what it’s like to lose a job,” head coach Jim Caldwell said. “But often times I don’t think they put football players in that category. For some reason other people look at that and kind of just dismiss it, ‘Oh yeah he got cut, plain and simple,’ other than their families.“These are human beings, they’re guys that have dreams and hopes and aspirations. It doesn’t mean the absolute end of the road for them because hopefully what I tell them typically is, ‘Hey, you know what, I hope you get picked up by somebody tomorrow and if not tomorrow then I hope somebody picks you up and puts you on their practice squad.’“So, we try to encourage them, but we know that it’s a difficult time.”"

The biggest name on the list of players cut was running back, Mikel Leshoure. The Lions traded up in the 2011 NFL Draft to grab Leshoure out of the University of Illinois, but his career never panned out. He battled off the field issues and tore his ACL before his rookie season ever officially began. Leshoure’s release leaves defensive tackle Nick Fairley as the lone draftee of the 2011 class left on the roster in Detroit.

Hometown favorite, George Winn was also waived.

Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Theo Riddick, Montel Owens, and Jed Collins make up the backfield in 2014.

Another noteworthy name to receive his walking papers was wide receiver, Kris Durham. It was a move a lot of people seen coming during the preseason as the Lions had previously committed to Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, and Jeremy Ross, leaving four players to duke it out for three spots. Matthew Stafford‘s former college roommate found himself as the odd man out.

Ryan Broyles, Kevin Ogletree, and Corey Fuller take up the final three wideout spots.

Much to the pleasure of many Lions fans, quarterback Kellen Moore will remain with the team as the third QB. Moore played well during the exhibition season, completing 35-of-51 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns in four preseason games with a 108.4 passer rating. Still, many were skeptical on whether coach Caldwell would keep a third signal caller on or not. We now know that the Kellen Moore fan club can rest easy once again, as Moore will in fact return to Detroit for his consecutive third year.

The Lions also decided to part ways with cornerback Chris Greenwood, leaving Detroit with only five defensive backs on the roster to start the season.

There are however rumors floating around of the Lions exploring their options in the defensive backfield. Stay logged into Detroit Jock City for continued developments.