By Moses Joshua 
As trade speculation fizzled, the Lions quietly trimmed their roster instead of making a splashy move before the deadline.
Just minutes after the NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday afternoon, the Detroit Lions confirmed that they had made two roster changes — but not the kind many fans were hoping for. Instead of bringing in a headline-making addition, the team announced two subtractions, signaling that general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell were content to stand pat as the league’s 4 p.m. ET deadline came and went.
Lions Cut Ties With Kenny Yeboah and Justin Herron
Detroit released tight end Kenny Yeboah and offensive lineman Justin Herron, both of whom had spent the season on injured reserve. Yeboah was waived with an injury settlement, officially ending his brief stint with the franchise.
The pair had been sidelined since early August after suffering preseason injuries, and neither appeared in a regular-season snap for the Lions. Yeboah, who joined the team in March, entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the New York Jets in 2021. Over four years with the Jets, he totaled nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown in 33 games. His 2024 campaign marked his most productive, tallying a career-high five catches for 47 yards.
Herron, meanwhile, was a 2020 sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots. He played in 28 games (10 starts) over two seasons in Foxborough before spending time with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2022–23. Persistent injuries, however, have kept him off the field for the past two seasons.
Lions Choose Continuity Over Chaos at the Deadline
Leading up to the trade deadline, speculation ran wild that Detroit might make a big push to reinforce its defense or offensive line depth. Rumors linked the Lions to Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, as well as linebacker Logan Wilson and Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Ultimately, none of those moves materialized. Hendrickson stayed put in Cincinnati, while Phillips and Wilson were dealt elsewhere — to the Eagles and Cowboys, respectively — two NFC contenders Detroit could see in the postseason race.
Instead, the Lions’ silence spoke volumes. The front office appears confident in the roster’s foundation and depth, even as injuries to key offensive linemen like Christian Mahogany and Penei Sewell test that optimism.
Eyes Ahead: Commanders, Eagles, and a Crucial Stretch
With the trade window now closed, Detroit’s focus shifts to the field. The Lions head to Washington to face the Commanders, followed by a pivotal matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. After that, they return home for consecutive games against the Giants and Packers, before hosting the Cowboys in early December.
The decision not to chase a blockbuster trade could be seen as a vote of confidence from Campbell and Holmes — or a gamble that the team’s current roster has enough to make a deep playoff push. Either way, the Lions made their stance clear as the deadline dust settled: Detroit is riding with the group they’ve built.