The Detroit Lions continue to remake their roster under the team's new brass.
The club plans to release corner Desmond Trufant, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per a source informed of the situation.
ESPN first reported the news.
The Lions signed the former first-round pick last season in an effort to replace Darius Slay, who was traded. It didn't work out as Trufant played just six games, compiling one interception, four passes defended, one sack and 20 tackles.
Once one of the better corners in the NFL early in his career with Atlanta, Trufant has struggled with injuries the past two seasons, missing 17 games.
Former Lions GM Bob Quinn inked Trufant to a two-year, $20 million contract, including a $5 million signing bonus last offseason. The 30-year-old was due a base salary of $9.5 million in 2021, with $3.5 million guaranteed. Cutting Trufant saves the Lions $6.187 million on the salary cap with $6 million in dead money.
Trufant's deal was one of several moves Quinn made to try to save his job. It didn't pay off, which is one reason there is a new GM in Detroit. Now Brad Holmes is left to clean house and restack the deck.
The Lions also announced Thursday that they have tendered exclusive rights free agents Jack Fox, the team's Pro Bowl punter, offensive lineman Matt Nelson, who played in all 16 2020 games with one start, and Jason Cabinda, who's played linebacker and fullback.
Here's other news Around The NFL is monitoring on Thursday:
- The New Orleans Saints have restructured the contract of kicker Wil Lutz to create $1.74 million in salary cap space, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per an informed source. The Saints later announced the contract of punter Thomas Morstead has been terminated. New Orleans also announced the following additions and changes to its coaching staff: quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry, assistant head coach/defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen, offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, secondary coach Kris Richard, tight ends coach/run game coordinator, assistant offensive line coach Zach Strief and offensive analyst Jim Chaney.
- The New York Giants officially released receiver Golden Tate and linebacker David Mayo. Rapoport reported Wednesday that the team informed Tate and Mayo of their pending releases.
- Defensive end Stephen Weatherly announced via Instagram that he will be returning to the Minnesota Vikings. Weatherly's one-year deal is worth $2.5 million with $500,000 in incentives, per Pelissero. Weatherly, 26, played his first four seasons in Minnesota before signing a two-year deal with the Panthers last offseason. He was released by Carolina on Feb. 19.
- The Philadelphia Eagles have elected not to tender punter Cameron Johnston due to salary cap issues, Rapoport reported, per an informed source. Johnston, who should have an active market, enters free agency as an unrestricted free agent.
- The Los Angeles Rams announced Thursday they have tendered exclusive rights free agents outside linebacker Travin Howard and offensive linemanColeman Shelton.
- Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman, who won a Super Bowl with Kansas City in the 2019 season and was a 2018 Pro Bowl pick, announced his retirement on Thursday via Twitter. Sherman played 10 seasons, the last eight with the the Chiefs after his first two were with the Cardinals.
