Lions begin roster cuts with veteran LB, young TE

The Detroit Lions roster cuts have finally begun late Sunday afternoon. According to Dave Birkett, the Lions are releasing veteran linebacker Troy Reeder, and per Nolan Bianchi, they are waiving tight end Zach Horton.

Reeder was among several veteran linebackers in competition for a final roster spot. A seven-year veteran with loads of special teams experience and 38 career starts, Reeder was legit competition to make the roster, especially after Damone Clark suffered an injury that landed him on injured reserve. Alas, he didn’t win the competition. Other players still in contention for that depth spots include Joe Bachie, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Trevor Nowaske, and undrafted rookie Erick Hunter.

Because Reeder is a veteran, he is not subject to waivers and can sign anywhere he pleases, including back to Detroit’s practice squad, if he wants.

Horton had already been waived once this training camp, so his cut is not much of a surprise. That said, he put together a handful of good fullback reps in the preseason finale on Saturday. He will be subject to waivers, and could come back to the team’s practice squad, as he did last year after being cut as an undrafted rookie, if he clears waivers. His waiving doesn’t tell us much about the tight end competition.

Follow along with all of the latest Lions cuts with our 2026 tracker here.