Lions Cut Surprising Veteran Ahead of First Preseason Game

After a disappointing 5-11 finish to the 2020 NFL season, the Detroit Lions begin their road to redemption on Friday with their first preseason game of the year against the Buffalo Bills. However, the Lions announced a shocking move just over 24 hours before the game as the team have released veteran cornerback Quinton Dunbar. What makes the move in more surprising is the fact that the seven-year veteran had just signed with Detroit back in April.

Dunbar was expected to provide the Lions with some cornerback depth or potentially even challenge for a starting spot. Perhaps another team will be willing to take a chance on him.

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Dunbar's release comes on the heels of the veteran cornerback missing the last week or so of practice with what Lions head coach Dan Campbell described as "personal issues." There's no telling whether those problems are related to Thursday's announcement.

The Lions also announced on Thursday that running back Craig Reynolds would take Dunbar's roster spot. After going undrafted in 2019, Reynolds has spent the last two seasons with the Washington Football Team and Jacksonville Jaguars while seeing just one rushing attempt in that span.

Before that, the 25-year-old spent five years with the Kutztown Golden Bears, putting up 2,650 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on 496 attempts. With D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Jermar Jefferson ahead of him in the backfield, Reynolds' signing should be seen as nothing more than a depth addition.

Even with the loss of Dunbar, the Lions are still favored to beat the Bills in their preseason opener. Detroit is favored to win at -120 odds, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, while Buffalo will enter the matchup as the +100 underdog.

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