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Tim Wright is now a Detroit Lion. The former Rutgers tight end found his way up north from the sunny skies of Tampa on Monday, as the nation was slowly waking up in the early morning (far too early, in the case of the fearless leader of Pride Of Detroit Jeremy Reisman) and discovered the Lions were already making moves well ahead of the Tuesday deadline for the first round of roster cuts. After Ryan Broyles put in his farewells earlier Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network broke the trade news:
The #Bucs are trading Tim Wright to the #Lions, source said. Detroit gets a pass-catching TE.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2015
It's a move the Lions have wanted to make in the past. After New England waived Wright, Detroit was in the mix to claim him off wires. He ultimately went back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , the team that had originally drafted him in 2013. Based on the timing of the transaction, it seemed clear that Tampa Bay was not going to commit to keeping him on the roster as the deadlines to cut numbers inches closer and closer. Tim Wright has 11 touchdown receptions (6 in New England last year) and 830 receiving yards for his career. He struggled in the preseason for Tampa Bay, but it is clear that Detroit had a continued interest in acquiring the tight end.
The move also casts a pall over the chances of Detroit's other tight ends struggling to remain on the roster. Of particular note, Joseph Fauria might be on the block for cuts. Fauria has seen limited playing time with Detroit as of late. Our own Justin Simon points out the similar production in the two tight ends.
Joe Fauria '13: 18 catches, 207 yds & 7 TDs Tim Wright '14: 26 catches, 259 yds & 6 TDs The drop off (even TDs) is not severe. #Lions
— Justin Simon (@justincsimon) August 31, 2015
Josh Katzenstein also believes Detroit will be sending a player, not a pick. We will continue to update the situation as it develops.
UPDATE: Per Field Yates, Detroit will be sending kicker Kyle Brindza back to Tampa in exchange for Tim Wright. Pending physicals, this trade should become official. Kyle Brindza was previously the kicker and punter for Notre Dame and went undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. It seemed unlikely that he would remain on the Detroit roster once the cuts arrived.