Lions Claim Dontrell Johnson Off Waivers, Release Alonzo Lawrence

The Detroit Lions have made another change to their roster. A day after mixing things up on offense, the Lions made some changes to their defense by claiming cornerback Dontrell Johnson off waivers. To make room for him on the roster, safety Alonzo Lawrence was released.

Johnson was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars at the end of April as an undrafted free agent out of Murray State. He was let go a couple weeks later, but Jacksonville brought him back at the end of May. He was released again on Wednesday, and the Lions decided to claim him off waivers.

Although Johnson is a cornerback, he is a bit on the short side, only checking in at 5-foot-9. The main reason the Lions may be bringing him in isn't for his skills at cornerback, though. He is also a solid punt returner, so perhaps he will be thrown into the mix for the returner job with Stefan Logan, Titus Young, Patrick Edwards and others.

Lawrence was originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The signing was notable because of where he played his final year of college football. Previously, he had been with Alabama and Southern Miss, but he ultimately ended up at MGCCC and still was able to land with an NFL team. He appeared to have some potential, but the Lions have moved on by releasing him.

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