Report: Corey Fuller to start the regular season on PUP list

Corey Fuller had surgery on a foot back in early June after breaking it during organized team activities. The surgery essentially ended his chance to compete for a fourth or fifth spot on the receiver depth chart this offseason. The Detroit Lions placed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list before the start of training camp, indicating that the recovery from the surgery may take some time.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Lions notified Fuller on Thursday that he will remain on the PUP list during the regular season.

A player who enters the regular season on the PUP list is required to sit out the first six weeks, meaning the Lions wouldn’t be able to activate Fuller to the game day roster until at least Week 7 against Washington. During those six weeks, Fuller is not permitted to even practice with the team, but he will not count against the 53-man roster.

Starting Week 7, the Lions will then have several options with what they can do with Fuller. They can release him — assuming he passes a physical — they can place him on the injured reserve list or they can have him return to practice. If he returns to practice, he won’t necessarily count against the 53-man roster. Detroit has a three-week window after returning Fuller to practice to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster, release him or place him on injured reserve.

Regardless what the Lions decide to do, Fuller is still a long shot to make any gameday contributions this season. At this point, the Lions stash him on the PUP list — at no cost of a roster spot — as insurance in case any of their currently projected starters get injured along the way.