5 Detroit Lions who could be let go in upcoming crunch for roster spots

1. DE Charles Harris

Harris made this list for us several weeks ago, but in hindsight he should have made this list too. He was a healthy scratch for the first time this season in Week 7, and he's been a healthy scratch again in each of the last two weeks.

Before and around those healthy scratches, Harris has seen his playing time greatly reduced since early in the season. That he has been deemed incapable of helping a pass rush that could use some help is very telling. It's fair to think he won't suit up for the Lions again, since he'll be a free agent after the season. His breakthrough in 2021 (7.5 sacks) has quickly become a fluke as the Lions have become a good team.

The pending return of James Houston, and Bruce Irvin having two practice squad elevations left before he'd have to be signed to the active roster, is lining up for there to a roster crunch at the edge rusher spot. Harris is already out of the mix for playing time right now, so his days in Detroit are obviously numbered.

Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire had a thought that Harris is someone who would be wanted back if he cleared waivers, with a certain lean toward his being a familiar veteran player. But that thought carries some presumption the Lions value him that way at all. At best that's hard to say, and letting Harris go will not be hard in a broader sense.