Report: Detroit Lions waive TE Hunter Bryant with non-football injury

According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Detroit Lions have waived tight end Hunter Bryant with a non-football injury designation.

This move comes as a bit of a surprise. Last year, Bryant made the Lions’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie out of Washington. He made a very strong impression in training camp and was poised to make an impact with the team in 2020. However, Bryant battled a hamstring injury to start the year and suffered a concussion in the middle of the season. He would end up playing in just five contests, making a single catch for 44 yards.

The waiving of Bryant leaves the Lions a bit thin at the tight end position. While T.J. Hockenson and newly-signed Josh Hill are locked into the first and second spots. Detroit only has Alize Mack and Hunter Thedford behind them, and neither have ever appeared in an NFL game. Only Hockenson and Thedford are signed beyond 2021.

It’s quite possible that the Lions consider tight end a moderate need entering Thursday’s 2021 NFL Draft.