NFL teams were required to cut their rosters to 53 players yesterday, making today at 1:00 the deadline to claim any players that were waived. The Detroit Lions picked up a pair of players, but also saw other teams claim two of theirs, including one that they may have planned to add to their practice squad.
The players that the Lions added are both offensive linemen:
The Detroit Lions have claimed a pair of offensive lineman off waiver: Guard Zac Kerin and tackle Brian Mihalik.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit News (@Justin_Rogers) September 3, 2017
Zac Kerin is a guard out of Toledo that was an undrafted free agent signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. He played in 13 games over those three seasons. Brian Mihalik was a 2015 7th round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles and was briefly with the Lions last season before getting claimed off their practice squad by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
To make room for those additions, the Lions waived tackle Cornelius Lucas and guard Brandon Thomas.
The former Lions players that didn’t clear waivers were quarterback Brad Kaaya and tight end Khari Lee.
Source: the Panthers claimed QB Brad Kaaya off of waivers from the Lions.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 3, 2017
Antwione Williams and Jace Billingsley cleared waivers. Only Lions player other than Kaaya who was claimed was TE Khari Lee, by the Bills.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit News (@Justin_Rogers) September 3, 2017
The Carolina Panthers grabbed Kaaya, who the Lions drafted in the 6th round, and many speculated would be re-signed to the Lions practice squad if he didn’t get claimed.
Lee played in all 16 games for the Chicago Bears as a rookie and saw limited action in eight games after signing with the Lions as a free agent last season. He was claimed by the Buffalo Bills.
Teams can now begin signing eligible players to their practice squads. However, with so many claims made around the league today, there will be more cuts, and possibly more waiver claims tonight and tomorrow.
