5 Detroit Lions candidates to be cut going into the summer

4. RB Craig Reynolds/RB Jermar Jefferson

Reynolds is an easy player to root for, and when he got an opportunity to be the Lions’ lead back for a couple weeks during the 2021 season he made the most of it. An injury landed him on IR for a stretch last season, and he had 23 carries for 102 yards in nine games.

Jefferson was a seventh-round pick by the Lions in 2021. After suiting up for seven games as a rookie, he spent all of last season on the practice squad.

As the Lions reshaped their backfield this offseason, swapping in David Montgomery and Jahmir Gibbs for Jamaal Williams and DeAndre Swift, they also made an interesting undrafted rookie signing in Mohamed Ibrahim. Given the guaranteed money he was given, reportedly $100,000, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher seems to have a very good chance at making the 53-man roster.

One of Reynolds and Jefferson is in line to be gone, perhaps soon even. At a glance, the better betting money is on Jefferson. But in light of letting him find an opportunity elsewhere quickly, the Lions could do Reynolds a proverbial solid and amicably send him on his way.