Allen Park — One day after filling the last remaining opening on the team’s 53-man roster with wide receiver Tom Kennedy, the Detroit Lions cleared another spot, releasing veteran defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike.
Coming back from an ACL injury, Onwuzurike was bumped out of his former role by Tyler Lacy and had spent a good chunk of training camp repping with the third-team defense.
Coach Dan Campbell explained away some of the concerns noting that Onwuzurike had suffered an injury setback that limited his practice reps, but the veteran’s roster spot didn’t feel secure going into final cuts a couple weeks earlier.
A former second-round pick out of Washington, Onwuzurike was plagued by back issues early in his career, requiring a spinal fusion procedure in 2022. He returned the next season, playing sparingly in 10 games, before breaking out in 2024.
That earned him a new, one-year deal in 2025, but nagging knee pain during the offseason turned out to be a damaged ACL that required surgical repair, sidelining him the entire season for the second time in four years.
Because he missed the full campaign while in the final year of his deal, his contract tolled to this season. However, he couldn’t recapture the disruptive spark he showcased in 2024.
In addition to Onwuzurike, the team also released seventh-round draft pick Tyre West off the practice squad. If Onwuzurike doesn’t find another suiter as a free agent, it’s possible he returns to Detroit’s practice squad, where he can continue to rebuild his speed and strength after missing last season.
Damn…all these moves vis a vis the 53 man vs the Practice Squad is making me dizzy! Or maybe it’s the Ketel One Martinis!🍸🤣
I suspect he’ll be on the practice squad and elevated by 4pm tomorrow.