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Detroit Lions: Delay In Stephen Tulloch’s Release Injury-Related, Per Report

By Colton Wesley

Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) tackles St. Louis Rams running back Tre Mason (27) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Lions 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) tackles St. Louis Rams running back Tre Mason (27) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Lions 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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One report says the five-month delay in linebacker Stephen Tulloch‘s release from the Detroit Lions might have been related to offseason ankle surgery.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported on Tuesday that former Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch’s release was delayed because he had not yet passed a physical after an offseason surgery. This report conflicts with Tulloch comments from last month, when he said he had no injury issues. Reportedly, Tulloch had arthroscopic ankle surgery during the offseason and did not pass a physical until Tuesday.

Head coach Jim Caldwell made a statement on Tuesday which accompanied the Lions’ statement announcing Tulloch’s release. Neither statement mentioned any injury, surgery or physical.

The Detroit Lions finally released Tulloch on Tuesday after they reportedly informed him back in February that he would be released after the start of the new league year on March 9. Tulloch remained on the roster and was paid a $500,000 roster bonus on March 13 that general manager Bob Quinn later said was guaranteed. Quinn declined to comment on whether Tulloch’s roster situation was injury-related at that time, and later said it was a “contractual issue.”

Later in the spring, the Lions were reported to be looking to trade Tulloch, although nothing ever appears to have materialized. Tulloch did not attend any offseason activities with the Lions and was officially excused from minicamp in June. At the time, he posted on his Twitter he was “waiting like everyone else.”

Tulloch said in June while on his book tour for his children’s book, “The Little Linebacker,” he intends to play somewhere in 2016. He also said that he was told in February “the team kind of wanted to go in a younger direction.,” and indicated that there has been some interest from other teams in signing him, “a couple people reached out when they found out earlier in the offseason (that he would be released),” he said. Birkett tweeted that Tulloch also said the last few months “haven’t soured him on his time in Detroit.”

Next: Detroit Lions Finally Release Stephen Tulloch

Moments after the announcement on Tuesday, Tulloch posted a picture of Ford Field and “Forever Detroit…#ThankYouForTheMemories” on his Instagram. Tulloch had already posted on his Instagram in March thanking both the Lions and Detroit.

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