Detroit Lions waive QB Connor Cook, sign QB David Fales

The Connor Cook era in Detroit is already over. On Monday, the Detroit Lions announced that they have waived the former Michigan State quarterback and signed veteran quarterback David Fales.

Just last week, Cook expressed his excitement for playing football back in the state of Michigan.

“There are some other spots I could have went but being back in Michigan really struck home with me and I wanted to be back here. So it’s why I’m a Lion,” Cook told reporters.

Unfortunately for Cook, he was firmly behind Tom Savage in the backup quarterback race, as Savage was receiving all of the second-team reps during OTAs and minicamp. Savage also has the extra advantage of having experience with Lions quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan.

The man who will take Cook’s place on the roster, David Fales, has been in the league a little longer. A former sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears, Fales has acted as a backup with the Dolphins for the past two seasons. That being said, Fales has never started an NFL game and only has three game appearances. His career statline is 31-of-48 for 287 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

In addition to the quarterback change, the Lions also signed offensive lineman Luke Bowanko. Bowanko spent training camp with the Patriots last year, but failed to make the team. He started 14 games in his rookie year back in 2014 as the Jaguars center, but has only started four games since due to a slew of injuries, among other things.

To make room for Bowanko, the Lions have waived David Jones, who spent the majority of OTAs with trainers.