:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18750549/20130103_kkt_af2_860.0.jpg)
The Detroit Lions' latest roster cut might come as a surprise to some. According to Chris McCosky, cornerback Ron Bartell has been released by the Lions.
Bartell came into training camp as one of the starters at cornerback. Now he's off the team. The emergence of rookie Darius Slay, who took Bartell's starting spot, led to this move, as did the addition of Rashean Mathis. The Lions deemed Bartell expendable, and they decided to release him as a result.
This leaves the Lions with Chris Houston and Slay as the starters at cornerback, and Jonte Green, Bill Bentley and Mathis will likely serve as the backups. It remains to be seen what will happen at safety, where there could be just one or two roster spots up for grabs between John Wendling, Tyrell Johnson and Amari Spievey.
The Lions now have 65 players left on their roster.