The Detroit Lions made a surprising move on Christmas Eve by waiving linebacker David Long, creating an open spot on their 53-man roster. The decision was unexpected, as Long had been playing well in Detroit.
After a solid performance against the Bills, Long was unexpectedly relegated to special teams duty in the game against the Bears and was waived just days later. The Tennessee Titans claimed him off the waiver wire on Christmas Day, but Long will not be joining the team due to failing his physical.
It appears Long may be dealing with an injury that impacted his performance, though different team doctors have varying standards, and it’s possible Long simply didn’t meet Tennessee’s criteria.
There’s a chance Long was considered healthy by the Lions when they waived him, which could open the door for his return to Detroit. With Long now a free agent, there’s speculation that the Lions might offer him a spot on their practice squad, as he is free to sign with any team.
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NFL News: Dan Campbell’s Lions release former Dolphins player shortly after signing him
Dan Campbell’s Detroit Lions have decided to part ways with a former Miami Dolphins player as they continue their push toward the NFL playoffs.
The Detroit Lions’ playoff plans have taken a turn with an important roster change. Head coach Dan Campbell’s team is currently tied with the Minnesota Vikings for the lead in the NFC North, both holding 13-2 records. In a related move, a recently added former Dolphins player has been released from the roster.
With just two games left in the regular season, Campbell recognizes that Detroit still has areas to improve in order to make a Super Bowl run and claim the franchise’s first-ever championship. As such, roster decisions have become even more critical.
The player cut from the Lions is linebacker David Long. His addition to the team was initially made with a specific purpose, but the 28-year-old veteran didn’t see enough action to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup.
Long had joined the Lions’ practice squad before Week 12 to fill the void left by Alex Anzalone, who was placed on injured reserve due to an arm injury. Shortly afterward, Long was elevated to the active roster.
How many games did Long play for the Lions?
Long appeared in five games for the Lions, starting in just one. The linebacker participated in 70 defensive snaps and 58 special teams plays. He recorded seven tackles and recovered one fumble during his time with Campbell’s team.
Campbell also emphasized what improvements are needed for the Lions to reach the Super Bowl.
“There are things we need to finish a little bit in the air game. We’re handling the ground game well and overall we made it one-dimensional. The effort is outstanding, our physical nature,” Campbell said.
