As the Lions move closer and closer to the regular season, and the hope of returning to the playoffs, the roster continues to take shape. Today the Lions cut two veteran players from their roster.
Adam Schefter tweeted the news,
“Lions released Wide receiver Keshawn Martin and Tight end Tim Wright.”
Martin saw limited action in the first three preseason games. He caught only 4 passes for a total of 25 yards. Going into his 6th NFL season Martin has career totals of 62 receptions and 685 receiving yards. Martin was selected in the 4th round of the NFL draft in 2012. He played college ball at Michigan State University. It is possible his time as an NFL player is over given that it has been since the 2015 season since Martin caught a pass in a regular season NFL game.
Wright also saw limited time on the field this preseason. Against the Patriots last weekend, he caught three passes for 34 yards. That was his only on the field contribution this preseason. Wright is a former undrafted free agent from Rutgers. Wright has career totals of 89 receptions and 907 yards. Wright has also caught 13 touchdowns in his 3 year NFL career. Expect to see Wright picked up before the regular season begins. Many teams could use him as a 3rd tight end.
The Lions have plenty of other players at wide receiver and tight end that out performed Martin and Wright. It is perhaps mildly more surprising to see Wright cut than Martin, though neither seemed likely to make the roster. With these two veterans off the roster, the Lions continue to have open opportunities for young players to prove themselves.
As the NFL changed the cut dates this off season, the Lions have until 4:00 PM on September 2nd to cut the roster down to the maximum of 53 players. Expect to see a few more players cut before the final game of the preseason this Thursday when the Lions visit the Bills.
