Lions claim Pat Lee off waivers, release Alphonso Smith

The Detroit Lions have made a move at cornerback, but it wasn't one that people were necessarily expecting. It's no surprise that cornerback Alphonso Smith has been released by the Lions, but it is a surprise that he was let go to make room for cornerback Pat Lee. The Lions claimed Lee off waivers on Monday, and they decided to clear a roster spot by releasing Smith.

Going into the week, I was thinking Smith would be released when the Lions activated cornerback Drayton Florence from injured reserve. The Lions will now have to make another move in order to clear room for Florence with Lee joining the team via the waiver wire.

Lee was just recently released by the Oakland Raiders. He started seven games this season and had 30 tackles, four pass defenses, one interception and one forced fumble for the Raiders. Before joining the Raiders this season, Lee had spent the first three years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. Considering the Lions are playing the Packers this week, I'm sure coaches will use Lee to help formulate their game plan for Sunday.

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