DeAndre Levy was one of the best linebackers in the NFL two years ago, but a series of hip and knee injuries left him looking a shell of himself. For that reason, the Detroit Lions released him when the new league year starts at 4 p.m. today.
Levy, who played in just five games the last two seasons because of his injuries, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn said at the NFL combine last week that Levy remained in the team's 2017 plans, but he qualified his statements with phrases such as "as of today" and "right now.