Detroit Lions waive running back Tion Green

Since the Detroit Lions added veteran LeGarrette Blount and rookie Kerryon Johnson to the backfield this offseason, there has been a lot of speculation on which of Detroit’s 2017 running backs will be on their way out this year.

The Lions quickly answered part of that question on Thursday afternoon, as they have waived Tion Green from the roster just a day before opening rookie minicamp:

Last year, Green was signed to the team as an undrafted free agent rookie from Cincinnati. To the surprise of some, Green ended up making the final 53-man roster. However, he ended up spending the majority of the season on the inactive gameday list.

Green got his first opportunity to play in the NFL in Week 13 against the Ravens. In his first ever NFL carry, Green took a handoff to the left and went 33 yards down the sideline:

Green would continue to get some interspersed carries throughout the rest of the year, as 2017’s starter, Ameer Abdullah, rode the bench. Green finished the season with 42 carries for 165 yards (3.9 YPC) and two touchdowns.

The Lions currently still have six running backs on the roster: Ameer Abdullah, LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner.

Update: Green thanked the Lions for the opportunity in a Tweet Thursday afternoon: