3 former Detroit Lions starters who might be done in the NFL

1. DE Trey Flowers

It has seemed like a fast fall for Flowers. But he was last healthy and productive for a full season in 2019. That was his first season with the Lions after signing a five-year, $90 million deal in free agency, as he of course started his career with a New England Patriots and had a Matt Patricia tie. Injuries limited him to 14 games over the following two seasons in Detroit, and he wasa no-brainer cut for the Lions early in the 2022 offseason.

Late last preseason, Flowers finally landed with a team--back in the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins. But then he barely played (65 snaps) over four early season games, and a foot injury landed him on IR in October, ending his season.

There is a premium placed on those who can get after the quarterback. But Flowers hasn't been available enough lately to be regarded as that anymore. And he's now approaching his 30th birthday (Aug.16), further and further removed from his last noteworthy (and anywhere near fully healthy) season.

Through last offseason some outlets offered teams Flowers might fit with, as a cheap flier who can help a pass rush and be a veteran leader. But that kind of speculation has not existed this year, and it's hard not to think his career is simply over.