Lions release Troy Burrell, Nathan Overbay

With the Detroit Lions adding offensive guard Jake Scott and wide receiver Micheal Spurlock on Tuesday, they needed to open up two roster spots. To do that, they decided to release wide receiver Troy Burrell and tight end Nathan Overbay.

Burrell, who first joined the Lions last year as an undrafted free agent out of Wayne State, spent some time on the practice squad last season. He was never really a threat to make the 53-man roster at wide receiver this year, so the Lions decided to let him go.

Overbay is another player who spent time on the Lions' practice squad in the past. This year, before the draft, he was actually the Lions' third tight end by default. There wasn't much depth, which is part of the reason why the Lions moved Dominique Curry to tight end from wide receiver. Now, though, with the Lions adding Michael Williams and Joseph Fauria, Overbay became expendable.

On Monday, the Lions parted ways with cornerback Lionel Smith in order to make room for offensive guard/center Leroy Harris.