Although the Lions established their 53-man roster yesterday, that was merely the rough draft. The Lions will scour the waiver wire in the coming days before putting together a roster that they will head to Chicago with next week to start the 2010 NFL season.
It remains to be seen just how many additional moves will be made, but the Lions made two today, claiming Spencer Havner off waivers and releasing Dennis Northcutt.
Havner was released yesterday by the Packers. He started his career as a linebacker and converted to tight end last offseason. In 2009, he appeared in all 16 games, starting once for Green Bay. In total, he had seven catches for 112 yards and four touchdowns.
Northcutt being released means the Lions appear to be content with carrying only four receivers on the roster. With four tight ends as well, Detroit still has plenty of depth when it comes to pass-catchers, allowing them to run a lot of two-tight end sets. It also means that they are comfortable with someone on the roster returning punts. Northcutt was going to handle punt returns, but with him gone, I would expect to see somebody like the newly-acquired Alphonso Smith taking them back for the Lions.