HEADLINES

Deon Butler

Lions Release Ryan Broyles, 8 Others

August 31st, 2015 at 4:12pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have cut ten players loose, including wide receiver Ryan Broyles, as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com writes. The full list is below:

  • Deon Butler, TE
  • Ryan Broyles, WR
  • Garret Gilbert, QB
  • Vernon Johnson, WR
  • Desmond Martin, RB
  • Roy Philon, DT
  • Jocquel Skinner, CB
  • R.J. Stanford, CB
  • Erik Williams, DE

In addition to those moves, cornerback Chris Owens has been placed on IR with an undisclosed injury. Broyles, 27, has spend the last three years with the Lions and appared in 21 total games. In his rookie season, the second round selection hauled in 22 catches for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns, leading many to wonder if he could be on his way to becoming a leading wide receiver. Since then, however, he has notched just 10 total catches.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/15

August 22nd, 2015 at 5:13pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are Saturday’s minor signings, cuts, and other transactions from around the NFL, which we’ll continue to update throughout the day:

  • The Browns made a pair of moves at tight end, signing Anthony Ezeakunne and releasing Manasseh Garner, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Ezeakunne is an undrafted free agent out of Chapman University, while Garner – formerly of Pitt – was briefly a member of the Chiefs in May.
  • After bringing him in for a workout, the Bills signed Austin Willis, according to Wilson (on Twitter). The Raiders cut the former Emporia State deep threat earlier this week. The 5-foot-9 Willis, an undrafted free agent who was one of Division II’s best receivers the past two years, has a 4.3-second 40-yard dash clocking and a 40-inch vertical to his credit. Buffalo cut defensive tackle Jeremy Towns to make room for Willis, according to Joe Buscaglia of WKBW (Twitter link).
  • The Lions have added former Central Michigan University tight end Deon Butler, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). The undrafted rookie had previously participated in the organization’s rookie camp, and he’s expected to take the spot of injured tight end Jordan Thompson.