Detroit Lions roster cuts Day 2: Live updates
The Detroit Lions have had at least one undrafted rookie make their Week 1 roster for 12 straight seasons. Defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor could run that streak to 13.
The Lions informed Taylor he made their initial 53-man roster Tuesday.
Taylor still could be waived before the Lions’ season-opener Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the undrafted rookie out of Appalachian State has a good chance of sticking after a strong preseason.
Taylor played 31 snaps in Sunday’s preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and had a half-sack nullified by an enforced offensive holding penalty. Nicknamed “Sawed Off” because of his stature, Taylor – 6 feet 1 and 295 pounds – adds interior pass rush to the Lions’ revamped defensive line.
The Lions spent two of their first three draft picks on linemen Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Paschal in April, but Paschal will miss at least the first four games of the regular season after undergoing offseason sports hernia surgery. Backup defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike also could miss Week 1 with a back injury.
The Lions have gotten good contributions from undrafted rookies since 2010, when Aaron Berry made the Week 1 roster as a UDFA and started at cornerback. Last year, AJ Parker, who was among Tuesday’s cuts, and Jerry Jacobs played key roles as undrafted rookies in the secondary.
The Lions also waived defensive tackle Bruce Hector on Tuesday.
Jacobs to PUP
Jerry Jacobs will miss at least the first four games of the regular season after all.
The Detroit Lions intend to place Jacobs on the reserve/physically unable to perform list at Tuesday’s roster cut deadline, NFL Network reported.
The Lions held off on moving Jacobs to the reserve/PUP list last week, when they placed Romeo Okwara, Jason Cabinda and Josh Paschal on PUP and Jameson Williams on the reserve/nonfootball injury list.
Jacobs told the Free Press last week he was “85%” recovered from the torn ACL he suffered last December. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday that Jacobs would not be ready for the season opener Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the team was expecting him to return early in the year.
Jacobs started nine games as an undrafted rookie last season and should be in the mix for playing time in the secondary once he’s healthy this fall.
By keeping Jacobs on the PUP list to start the season, the Lions opened a spot on their 53-man roster they potentially could use to keep an injured player for return this year. Players placed on injured reserve before 4 p.m. Tuesday are essentially lost for the year.