On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions released their initial 53-man roster and we warned that it would almost certainly hold to form for less than 24 hours.
Well, that’s exactly what happened as the Lions announced on Wednesday that they had released TE Darren Fells and S Dean Marlowe in order to make room for a pair of players they claimed off waivers. (WR KhaDarel Hodge and K Austin Seibert)
Following the announcement that Fells and Marlowe had been released, some took to social media questioning why the Lions would release their No. 2 tight end (only T.J. Hockenson currently remains on the roster), and a veteran safety from a roster that is thin in that area.
Let me explain what is going on here.
First of all, just so you can stop worrying, both Fells and Marlowe will be on the 53-man roster by the time Week 1 begins. In fact, I expect they will both be back on the roster by the end of the day on Thursday (expect a 4:03 p.m. announcement from the Lions).
So, why release them? Why not just release two younger players who won’t be on the 53-man roster for Week 1?
The answer to this is actually very simple.
When a younger player (less than four years of NFL experience) is waived, that player can be claimed by any team in the league. So, if the Lions waived a player with fewer than four years of experience from their 53-man roster, they run the risk of losing that player.
But, if a player with four or more years of experience is released (they cannot be waived), they become a free agent immediately, which means he can sign with any team he wants.
I would be willing to wager a solid amount of money that the Lions made a handshake deal with both Fells and Marlowe (prior to releasing them) that they would be re-signed prior to Week 1. (My guess is it will happen on Thursday). In order to re-sign them, the Lions will likely place QB Tim Boyle and DE Da’Shawn Hand on IR. But waiting until Thursday to do this, both Boyle and Hand would be eligible to return to the team in 2021. Had they been placed on IR prior to the 53-man roster announcement, they would not have been able to return to the Lions this season.
In addition, the Lions released their initial 15-player practice squad roster on Wednesday and that too is a fluid situation as the 2021 regular season approaches.
Folks, finalizing a final roster is chess, not checkers. Be patient and do not make your final judgment before Week 1.
