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Lions claim Jerel Worthy off waivers, release Jerrell Harris

The Detroit Lions swapped out defensive players on Tuesday after claiming former Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy off waivers.

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

It turns out that cornerback Ethan Davis wasn't the only player to join the Detroit Lions on Tuesday. He signed as a free agent to fill a vacant roster spot, and the Lions later claimed defensive tackle Jerel Worthy off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Linebacker Jerrell Harris was released to make room for Worthy.

Worthy joins the Lions after being released by the Kansas City Chiefs this week. He spent much of last season on the Chiefs' practice squad, but he wasn't able to stick this summer.

Before ending up in Kansas City, Worthy was briefly with the New England Patriots last August after being traded by the Green Bay Packers. Worthy, who played at Michigan State in college, was originally a second-round pick of the Packers back in 2012, but he didn't do a whole lot in Green Bay. Injuries were partly to blame, and now as a member of the Lions he will be looking to stay healthy in order to stick around as extra depth at defensive tackle.

As for Harris, he departs the Lions after spending much of the 2014 season on their practice squad. Given the Lions' depth at linebacker, he was a long shot to make the 53-man roster, and he was expendable as a result.

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