Before the Lions played the Jets in the opening preseason game for each team, Lions wide receiver Chaz Schilens said that he thought one of the reasons he didn’t stay with the Jets was because the team scapegoated everyone but quarterback Mark Sanchez for their poor season in 2012.
Schilens will have another chance to air his thoughts on leaving a team after the Lions announced he was being released on Friday. Schilens was one of five players let go as Detroit got a jump on paring their roster down to 75 players.
Schilens played for the Lions against the Patriots on Thursday night, but didn’t have a catch for the third straight preseason game. The Lions also released veteran cornerback D.J. Johnson, who played seven games for the Redskins last season, and offensive lineman Derek Hardman, who played in 15 games for the Buccaneers over the last three seasons.
The Lions also waived/injured defensive tackle John Drew and cornerback Ross Weaver. The moves leave the Lions at 84 players after they previously parted ways with wide receiver Mike Thomas.