The Detroit Lions released defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike on Friday, Sept. 11, two days before their season opener against the New Orleans Saints.
A second-round pick out of Washington in 2021, Onwuzurike was expected to play a rotational role on the Lions' defensive line this fall and still could return on the 53-man roster next week or to the practice squad on Saturday.
NFL teams sometimes release veterans before the start of the regular season to avoid having their contracts guaranteed for the season. All vested veterans on Week 1 rosters have their salaries guaranteed.
The Lions would avoid guaranteeing Onwuzurike's salary by re-signing him to the practice squad,
according to OverTheCap.com, but still could elevate him for Sunday's game.
The Lions also cut defensive tackle Tyre West from the practice squad Friday to open a practice squad roster spot.
Onwuzirke has a long injury history but was healthy in training camp. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL and did not play in 2022 because of a back injury.
The Lions went heavy on the defensive line when they set their initial 53-man roster, keeping 11 linemen. Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams are expected to start at defensive tackle against the Saints, with Aidan Hutchinson at one edge spot and DJ Wonnum or Tyler Lacy starting at the other end position depending on the package.
Onwuzurike played both Lacy's big end spot and at tackle in the preseason.
Safety Christian Izien was the only Lions player with an injury designation for the Saints. He is questionable to play with a groin injury.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DT Levi Onwuzurike cut by Detroit Lions, will he return to roster?
