Although the Detroit Lions have already placed running back Mikel Leshoure on injured reserve, he is still taking up a spot on the roster. The reason for this is because he would have to be waived/injured to free up a spot on the roster, and exposing him to waivers would not be a very smart move.

According to Dave Birkett, Leshoure will finally stop counting against the roster at 4 p.m. today when the first cut deadline arrives. Teams have to be down to 80 players, and with Leshoure's roster spot set to disappear, the Lions will be good to go.

This is how the Lions shrunk their roster from 90 to 80 players:

• Released: RB Mike Bell, FB Jerome Felton, WR Demario Ballard, WR Marcus Harris, DT Montavious Stanley, LB DeJuan Fulghum, S Michael Johnson, K Dave Rayner
• Waived/injured: TE Richard Dickson
• Placed on IR: RB Mikel Leshoure