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Detroit Lions cuts tracker: Who's in, who's out at 53-man NFL roster deadline
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- Detroit Lions cuts tracker: Who's in, who's out at 53-man NFL roster deadline
NFL teams have 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.
Lions have a new long snapper
The Detroit Lions have a new long snapper.
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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.
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten practices during OTAs 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."
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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.
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.
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 .
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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 of last week's exhibition finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
More: 'Miracle child' Mitchell Agude vying for spot with Detroit Lions years after accident
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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 Uche 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 fall 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.
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.
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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 wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones after trading for him at last year's deadline and then re-signing him in the offseason.
FULL STORY: Detroit Lions cut Donovan Peoples-Jones; Where will they go next at wide receiver?
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.
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He 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.
More roster moves
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
