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5 former Detroit Lions who might be done in the NFL

By Brad Berreman

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 27: Golden Tate #15 of the New York Giants plays against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 27, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 27: Golden Tate #15 of the New York Giants plays against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 27, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. RB Kerryon Johnson

After two seasons with the Lions that were a mix of promise and injuries, Johnson was phased out in 2020 (52 carries) and let go in 2021. He landed fairly quickly with the Philadelphia Eagles, who then waived him with an injury designation last August. After a stint with the San Francisco 49ers, he landed back on the Eagles’ practice squad in December.

All told last season, Johnson played in one game (for the 49ers) with nine special teams snaps. A run of workouts with teams who were seeking running back depth between his stints in San Francisco and Philadelphia did not yield an opportunity. That might be a bit of foreshadowing.

The Lions took Johnson in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2018 draft out of Auburn. So it’s eye-opening to realize he’s still not quite yet 25 years old (June 30), and still teams only kick the tires on him without really committing anything.

The shelf life of an NFL running back is short, and by age-25 if you haven’t really stuck anywhere you probably won’t have a real chance to do so. Johnson is about to cross that threshold, and his NFL career is on the ropes.

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