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Detroit Lions cuts tracker: Who's in, who's out at 53-man NFL roster deadline

NFL teams had until 4 p.m. Tuesday to trim their rosters to 53 players. Check back frequently for the news and analysis on the Detroit Lions' moves and other moves from around the league.

Latest Lions roster updates: The Lions have set their initial roster.

Lions could go with 4 WRs to start

The Lions cut one of their big receiver options Monday in Donovan Peoples-Jones, and they let go of another Tuesday in Daurice Fountain.

Fountain, who spent part of last season on the Lions' practice squad, had two catches for 15 yards in three exhibition games and never seemed to build off the positive momentum he had in spring.

THE TEAM: Lions set 53-man roster (with 52 players): Here's who made it

Lions coach Dan Campbell lamented the lack of size in his receiver room Monday, when he said he and general manager Brad Holmes were trying to figure out "have we seen enough out of (Peoples-Jones and Fountain) to where we feel like we can use them or need to use them sooner than later."

The Lions are set with their top three receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond, and undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams is the favorite for the No. 4 job. The team is in the market for another receiver via trade or waivers. For now, Jameson Williams (6-1, 180) is the only receiver listed taller than 6 feet on the roster.

"I wouldn’t say (not having a big receiver) limits us, but like any offense or defense, man, you want, ‘Give us everything,'" Campbell said. "If you can have it all, then you can use it all. But no, it’s not going to limit what we do."

Nate Sudfeld cut, Lions to roll with Hendon Hooker as backup QB

The Lions finally have some clarity at the backup quarterback position.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Lions have decided to release Nate Sudfeld, opening the door for Hendon Hooker to take the backup job. The Lions will then roll with either Sudfeld or Jake Fromm as the practice squad quarterback, which was a move they felt more comfortable making after Fromm's solid performance in the final preseason game.

Beauplan likely bound for practice squad

Abraham Beauplan only spent two weeks in training camp with the Lions, and while that wasn't enough to earn a roster spot, he is expected back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

The Lions plan to release Beauplan as part of their cut to 53 players at 4 p.m. today.

Abraham Beauplan of the Detroit Lions recovers a fourth-quarter fumble during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Abraham Beauplan of the Detroit Lions recovers a fourth-quarter fumble during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Beauplan signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent last spring and finished training camp on injured reserve. He spent part of the season on the Vikings' practice squad, and signed with the Lions on Aug. 11.

Beauplan recovered a fumble and had a team-high five tackles (two for loss) in the Lions' preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs in his first week with the team. He wasn't credited with a tackle in last week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but played well enough to earn unprompted praise from Lions coach Dan Campbell after the game as someone who "just came in a week ago and (was) out there busting (his) rear."

Three WR options who could interest the Lions

The Lions need wide receivers, this much is clear. And while we're still early in the cut cycle, a few notable names appear to be hitting the market (either through their pending release or via trade). Here's a sampling of some of the receivers that reportedly will be available to the Lions and other teams:

Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos - Patrick is expected to be traded or released at 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to 9News in Denver. At 30 years old, he's far removed from his best days as an NFL player. He's missed most of the past two seasons with ACL and Achilles injuries and doesn't add much on special teams, but he does offer size (6-4, 212 pounds) and downfield playmaking ability, and Lions general manager Brad Holmes did deal for a Denver receiver (Trinity Benson) at the cut deadline a few years ago.

Aug 24, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (80) just misses a catch in the first quarter pre-season game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 24, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (80) just misses a catch in the first quarter pre-season game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrell Shavers, Buffalo Bills - Some out of Buffalo seem caught off guard by Shavers' release. Shavers spent his rookie season on Buffalo's practice squad and was fighting for the No. 6 receiver spot with the Bills. He had three stops in college (including three years at Alabama) and has limited NFL tape, but he is 6 feet 4 and he was known for his special teams play coming out of school, where he blocked three punts at San Diego State and excelled as a gunner.

John Metchie, Houston Texans - A 2022 second-round pick and former teammate of current Lions receiver Jameson Williams, Metchie is part of a logjam of receivers in Houston. It's unclear how willing the Texans are to deal Metchie, though Bleacher Report said teams have reached out to inquire about his availability. Metchie wouldn't add much from a size standpoint to the Lions roster, but he'd have more upside than most available receivers. If he's dealing with the Texans, Holmes might be more tempted to add a veteran receiver he knows well from their time together with the Los Angeles Rams, Robert Woods.

Lions make more moves Tuesday morning

Last year, Steven Gilmore made the Lions' 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent out of training camp but barely played in the regular season.

This year, the developmental prospect is out of a job in the Lions' new-look secondary.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick (82) runs against Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during the second half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick (82) runs against Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during the second half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

The Lions are waiving Gilmore, ESPN reported Tuesday, as part of their cut to a 53-man roster.

Gilmore was considered a practice-squad candidate after sliding down the depth chart this summer and playing late in last week's exhibition finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Lions added four new cornerbacks this offseason - Carlton Davis via trade, Amik Robertson in free agency and Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw in the draft - and return two other players (Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey) who have more special-teams value and sit ahead of Gilmore on the depth chart.

The Lions held all six of those cornerbacks out of the Steelers game, but all are expected to be ready for next week's regular season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

NFL teams have until 4 p.m. today to trim their rosters to 53 players.

Lions have a new long snapper

The Lions have a new long snapper.

The Lions informed incumbent Scott Daly of his release Monday and plan to keep Hogan Hatten as their long snapper this fall.

Hatten played at Idaho last season and signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in May. He played linebacker early in his college career and moved full-time to long snapper in 2022.

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Detroit Lions longsnapper Hogan Hatten (49) practices during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Detroit Lions longsnapper Hogan Hatten (49) practices during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

Lions coach Dan Campbell praised Hatten's coverage ability early in training camp.

"That’s a real competition," Campbell said of the long snapper battle. "He did play linebacker in college. So, he runs pretty good, and he kind of has an awareness on the football, and he’s played some defensive snaps for us — a couple. We needed him in there with where we were at at linebacker to finish a game out. So, that’s what he’s got. Now it’s about, ‘Ok, well can you’ — and what we know about Daly. Daly has been able to snap consistently and under pressure, big games, different looks, handling the protection and the snap. So, that’s the next step for him. He has to be able to prove that he can do that with a rush on him."

Daly handled long-snapping duties most of the past three seasons for the Lions, but missed the final nine games last year with a knee injury.

With Hatten on the roster, the Lions continue their streak of having had at least one UDFA make their Week 1 roster every year since 2010.

TRENDING: Dave Birkett's final Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction

Lions cut Ty Summers

Ty Summers made a big impression in the Lions' preseason finale, but it wasn't enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) returns a kick as Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) makes the tackle during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) returns a kick as Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) makes the tackle during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.

The Lions informed Summers of his release Monday, two days after he led the team with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks in an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Summers, who signed Aug. 12, was vying for a backup job at linebacker behind Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Malcolm Rodriguez.

He played in 15 games for the New Orleans Saints last season and has been a special teams stalwart throughout his career.

Lions cut leading tackler in preseason

Mitchell Agude looked like he was in good shape to make the Lions' 53-man roster this spring, but the backup defensive end slid down the depth chart in training camp and was waived Monday, ESPN reported.

Agude led the Lions with 12 tackles this preseason, but played late into the fourth quarter vs. the Steelers.

More: 'Miracle child' Mitchell Agude vying for spot with Detroit Lions years after accident

Agude spent most of last season on the Lions' practice squad and took some first-team reps during organized team activities when Marcus Davenport was out with an ankle injury.

He was believed to be competing for a backup spot at end/outside linebacker with undrafted rookie Isaac Ukwu and 2022 draft pick James Houston, among others.

The Lions also waived backup offensive lineman Bryan Hudson, according to NFL Network.

Lions waive TE Shane Zylstra

Shane Zylstra missed all of last season with a knee injury, and if he returns to the field this season, it likely will be with another team.

Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) celebrates a touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers with tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) celebrates a touchdown against Pittsburgh Steelers with tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

The Lions waived Zylstra among a handful of roster moves Monday, NFL Network reported, as they started their cuts to a 53-man roster. Zylstra caught 11 passes in 13 games for the Lions in 2022 and had six catches for 41 yards this preseason.

He was competing for a backup job at tight end, behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.

James Mitchell is the favorite to win the third tight end job.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones among first cuts

The Lions decided to move on from former Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Cass Tech receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones after trading for him at last year's deadline, and then re-signing him in the offseason.

Despite expectations that Peoples-Jones could help fill the void left by Josh Reynolds leaving in free agency, the Lions decided to move on from the Detroit native after a disappointing preseason.

FULL STORY: Lions cut Donovan Peoples-Jones; Where will they go next at wide receiver?

DPJ caught two passes for 31 yards on nine targets in three games and did not catch any of the three passes thrown his direction in the preseason finale.

Longshots cut

NFL Network reported the Lions also waived running back Zonovan Knight and cornerback Rachad Wildgoose. Both were considered longshots to make the 53-man roster.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions cuts tracker: Who's on Dan Campbell's 53-man roster