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Detroit Lions Finalize 75-Man Roster For Final Preseason Game

By Zac Snyder

Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Corey Fuller (10) makes a catch in the end zone to tie the game during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Corey Fuller (10) makes a catch in the end zone to tie the game during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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The final three roster moves have been made to trim the Detroit Lions’ roster down to 75 players ahead of today’s deadline.

The Detroit Lions did most of the work necessary to get down to a 75-man roster yesterday. However, there were still three moves to make before today’s 4 p.m. deadline.

Those moves have been made.

There was some thought that releasing blocking tight end Matthew Mulligan yesterday might be a sign that Brandon Pettigrew was close to returning. That turns out to not be the case as he will remain on PUP into the regular season.

Wide receiver Corey Fuller will also remain on PUP, meaning both players will be out for at least the first six weeks.

Pettigrew and Fuller on the reserve PUP list leaves just one move to make to get down to the 75-player limit. To finish this round of roster-trimming, the Lions waived cornerback Brandon McGee. All three moves have been officially announced by the team.

It had been speculated that putting injured linebacker Brandon Bostic on injured reserve would be the final move to get down to 75 but that turns out to not be the case. Because Bostic is not yet a vested veteran (less than four years of service), he would have had to be exposed to waivers prior to being placed on injured reserve prior to the first roster cut deadline. After the rosters have been trimmed, Bostic can be placed on IR without passing through waivers, ensuring the Lions keep his rights.

The Lions acquired Botic in an offseason trade with the Patriots in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. According to Ian Rapoport, the condition was set at Bostic appearing in eight games for the Lions this season.

Teams no longer have to specifically designate an injured reserve player to return like in the past couple of seasons. They still have the ability to bring back one player, but it can be any IR player of their choosing rather than having to decide that up front when placing a player on IR.

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Assuming the Lions don’t choose to bring Bostic back, at all or in time to play eight games, the Lions will not have to send a pick back to the Patriots.

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