Detroit Lions cut 13 players including former first-round draft pick Germain Ifedi

The Detroit Lions made some major roster moves on Sunday. The team announced that it waived and released a total of 13 players, including former first-round pick and offensive lineman Germain Ifedi.

Detroit’s announcement comes two days after completing the three-game preseason schedule. The Lions defeated the Carolina Panthers 26-17 in the finale on Friday night.

Players released included:

• Christian Covington, DL
• Bobby Hart, OL
• Germain Ifedi, OL
• Jason Moore, WR
• Devine Ozigbo, RB

Even more players were waived by the team on Sunday:

• Trinity Benson, WR
• Avery Davis, WR
• Obinna Eze, OL
• Daniel Helm, TE
• Alex Mollette, OL
• Scott Nelson, S
• Darrin Paulo, OL
• Colby Richardson, CB

#Lions announce roster moves:

RELEASED
DL Christian Covington
OL Bobby Hart
OL Germain Ifedi
WR Jason Moore
RB Devine Ozigbo
 
WAIVED
WR Trinity Benson
WR Avery Davis
OL Obinna Eze
TE Daniel Helm
OL Alex Mollette
S Scott Nelson
OL Darrin Paulo
CB Colby Richardson

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 27, 2023

The Lions went 2-1 in preseason action, recording its other win over the New York Giants 21-16. Detroit lost a 25-7 decision to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The most surprising news comes as Ifedi was released. The offensive lineman was selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He spent his first four years in the NFL with the franchise before joining the Chicago Bears for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Ifedi spent the 2022 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons. He has appeared in 102 career games in the NFL, making 83 starts.

Detroit made a round of cuts as it attempts to get down to a 53-man roster for the 2023 NFL regular season. The Lions open the year with a tough task, traveling to play defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City.

Kickoff is set for Thursday, Sept. 7 with coverage on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Detroit Lions the betting favorite to win NFC North

The Lions enter the 2023 season in unfamiliar territory. Odds favor Detroit to take home the NFC North title, which would be a historic season for the franchise.

Detroit has never won the NFC North, with its last title coming in 1993 (NFC Central). Could the Lions put an end to this unfortunate drought? Vegas believes so.

Odds to win the NFC North in 2023 (via FanDuel):

• Lions: +145
• Vikings: +260
• Packers: +350
• Bears: +430

A division title win would also send the Lions into the postseason, which would end another drought. Detroit’s last playoff appearance came in 2016.

So, for once, Detroit enters an NFL season with high hopes and plenty of expectations. Will the Lions live up to the hype and end a pair of unfortunate streaks?