The Detroit Lions wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Wednesday. They will go on their summer break before reconvening for training camp in mid-July. Just as they were calling it a day, the Lions announced some roster moves, including the release of a newly signed wide receiver.
These roster moves came in the wide receiver room. In addition to the Tarik Black and Lucky Jackson signings that were announced earlier in the day, the Lions revealed that they also signed 28-year-old WR Tay Martin.
Martin spent the last two seasons with Tennessee and Washington, making three catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. He then signed with the Columbus Aviators of the UFL for spring football and will now try to make his way onto Detroit's practice squad.
To make room for these three UFL signings, the Lions placed rookie WR Kendrick Law on the reserve/injured list and released Kyre Duplessis.
With 3 new WR additions, the training camp battle will be as intense as ever
Duplessis was signed by the Lions two weeks ago when Law suffered the ACL injury. The undrafted playmaker had spent last season at Delaware, where he enjoyed a breakout campaign. Whether he will get another opportunity elsewhere for training camp remains to be seen.
The Lions now only have one spot available on their 90-man training camp roster. There could be more transactions between now and the camp, but the Lions will have 12 healthy WRs on the roster.
The new additions will obviously face an uphill battle. Martin, Jackson, and Black will mostly compete to earn a practice squad spot. For the 53-man roster, the wide receiver room will only be one of many positions that will have fierce training camp competition.
Dan Campbell reiterated on Wednesday that he feels very good about the roster and believes there will be some of the best competition he has had since arriving in Detroit.
This likely includes the receivers. In addition to the three starters, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Isaac TeSlaa, and Jameson Williams, the rest of the spots are up for grabs. Greg Dortch has the leg up for the WR4 spot thanks to his experience and connection with new OC Drew Petzing, but plenty can change in training camp.
Between Cedrick Wilson Jr., Dominic Lovett, and Jackson Meeks, we can expect training camp and preseason to make the final determination. Tom Kennedy, who has somehow been with the team for seven seasons, is expected to land on the practice squad once again. Malik Cunningham is also more likely to be on the outside looking in rather than the 53-man roster.
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