Detroit Lions open roster spot by waiving rookie safety

In a recent common trend, the Detroit Lions are making an early-week transaction in order to create some roster flexibility. On Tuesday, as they turn the page to Week 18, the Lions announced they have waived rookie defensive back Morice Norris.

As the Lions get healthier and are returning players from injury, they have been proactive in creating roster space anticipating future transactions. Last week, the Lions released defensive lineman Chris Smith, linebacker Kwon Alexander, and linebacker David Long. Throughout the week, they made several corresponding moves, including signing Norris, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (who acted as the team’s emergency quarterback last game), and returned linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin from injured reserve.

Once released, Smith and Alexander were re-signed to the Lions practice squad (Long was claimed by the Titans and subsequently failed his physical and remains a free agent). Smith was then elevated for the game against the 49ers and played on nine snaps.

While Norris only played on special teams against San Francisco, he has developmental talent and can provide the Lions depth in the secondary, which makes him a very likely candidate to be re-signed to the practice squad, if he clears waivers—similarly to what happened with Smith and Alexander.

As far as who could return to fill the vacant spot, wide receiver Kalif Raymond opened his 21-day evaluation window last week and practiced in full. He was not activated ahead of the 49ers game but there’s a realistic chance he could be activated from injured reserve this week.

Additionally, linebacker Alex Anzalone is reportedly close to returning to the practice field, and could potentially open his practice window this week.

“We’ll see,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Anzalone potentially returning to the field this week. “He’s doing well. He’s close. He’s really close.”

Beacuse Anzalone is working through a broken forearm, and not a soft tissue or ligament injury, there is hope that he may not take long to acclimate back to football once he opens his practice window—similar to Ifeatu Melifonwu (finger) who was only in the window for three practices.