ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Brandon Thomas had his phone on airplane mode, like he often does before games. He had his headphones on, listening to music, getting his mind right before the final preseason game heading into cuts.
Around 3 p.m., he went to grab a pregame meal.
Then he heard the news.
Former first-round pick Laken Tomlinson had been dealt to the San Francisco 49ers. And just like that, his odds of making the Detroit Lions went from almost nothing to really good.
It's unclear who replaces Tomlinson on the 53-man roster, but Thomas has as good a shot at it as anybody.