The Detroit Lions announced a series of roster moves on Tuesday just before the start of its 2026 training camp.
Detroit announced the release of defensive tackle Jay Tufele. The Lions also placed defensive back Christian Izien on the Active/Non-Football Illness list and offensive guard Christian Mahogany on the Active/Non-Football Injury list (NFI).
These moves come on the heels of Detroit announcing that the trio of Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch and tight end Tyler Conklin had been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP).
Players are placed on the NFI lists if they suffered an injury during a non-NFL activity, including private workouts or personal training. Players are also placed on NFI lists if they are dealing with a long-term illness outside of football.
While it wouldn’t apply for Izien or Mahogany, players may also be placed on the NFI lists when there’s an injury that occurred during a college season that prevents a player from practicing at the start of their rookie season.
Active players on the PUP list and NFI list count toward the Lions’ 90-man training camp roster limit. Players are restricted from practicing while on the PUP or NFI lists, but they are eligible to be removed from these lists at any time if the team deems that a player is healthy enough to begin practicing.
Players who remain on the NFI list after the roster is set at 53 at the end of training camp can be placed on the reserve/NFI list and will miss at least four games. They don’t count against the 53-man active roster limit.
The Lions signed Izien this offseason to a one-year, $2 million contract. Originally an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, Izien played in 45 games and started 15 with the Bucs over his first three NFL seasons.
Izien has recorded 165 tackles, five passes defended, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in his career thus far.
Mahogany, a 2024 sixth-round pick by the Lions from Boston College, played in and started 11 games at left guard for the Lions last season. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound lineman has played in 18 career games and started 12.
Tufele signed a one-year, $1.215 million contract with the Lions back in April. Originally drafted by the Jaguars in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Tufele has appeared in 46 games, started seven and totaled 56 tackles, four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Detroit Lions release DT Jay Tufele, place pair on NFI
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Josh Helmer, Lions Wire | USA TODAY Network
