Lions Cut Ties With Veteran Cornerback, Freeing Up Roster Spot

The Detroit Lions are cutting ties with one of their veteran cornerbacks ahead of their second week of 2025 training camp, clearing a roster spot in the process.

According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Lions released veteran cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver on Sunday from their roster. The team also announced the roster move.

Thomas-Oliver spent a limited amount of time with the Lions toward the 2024 season, signing with their practice squad on December 17 and earning a promotion to the 53-man roster on January 4. He went on to appear in their regular-season finale in Week 18 and divisional-round playoff game against the Washington Commanders, but he played just 21 special-teams snaps and one defensive snap and recorded no statistics.

While the Lions re-signed Thomas-Oliver in the offseason, he is now a free agent.

The Lions will hold their next practices on Monday and Tuesday, both at 9:30 a.m. ET. They will also open their preseason slate this week when they take on the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31.

Stantley Thomas-Oliver Had Suffered Injury in Practice

The 27-year-old Thomas-Oliver had endured a rough couple of weeks with the Lions.

He landed on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list with an undisclosed injury when he reported for training camp on July 17. After about a week, he passed his physical and received the green light to return to practice, taking reps with the third-string defense, but things took a turn when he exited Saturday’s practice early with a hamstring injury.

Now, the Lions must decide what they want to do with their newly available roster spot. They could sign another cornerback to replace Thomas-Oliver and compete as a depth player in their rotation for the 2025 season. Then again, maybe the Lions are clearing a spot on their 90-man roster for a more substantial move — either by trade or signing.

Could Lions Make Major Addition Before Preseason?

The Lions have reached the point in the offseason when 90-man rosters become fluid.

Moves, such as releasing third-stringers like Thomas-Oliver, will happen regularly over the next month in advance of the NFL’s 53-man roster cutdown deadline on August 26. Some players will sustain injuries and get sent on their way with settlements. Others will fall below expectations and find themselves swapped out for a different option.

And in most cases, the Lions clearing a roster spot comes with little expectations.

After a recent report about their interest in a veteran free agent, though, it is interesting that they released Thomas-Oliver without making a corresponding move to fill his spot.

According to The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, the Lions have had “dialogue” about potentially signing four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Matthew Judon, who would add a notable presence to their defensive line room despite being in the tail end of his career.

The Lions have superstar Aidan Hutchinson and veteran Marcus Davenport projected to start for their defense, but they could still use a stronger veteran presence behind them in the rotation. Now would also be a good time for the Lions to add a veteran if they plan on him playing a substantial role — as the pads have not come on just yet.