The Detroit Lions made a few final roster moves on Wednesday, and one of them sent former Tennessee running back Jabari Small to waivers.
Detroit also waived center Seth McLaughlin as it trimmed down ahead of the NFL regular season. The Lions had already been active on Tuesday, signing tight end Tyler Conklin and placing running back Isiah Pacheco on reserve/injured. The team also added guard Elijah Klein and wide receiver Dominic Lovett to its practice squad.
Small spent four seasons at Tennessee from 2020-23 and was a steady part of the Volunteers’ backfield. He played in 45 games and made 24 starts, finishing with 2,122 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 419 carries. He also caught 32 passes for 247 yards and two scores.
Detroit’s practice squad also got another former Vol this week. Defensive lineman Tyre West signed with the Lions on Monday after being waived on Sunday following the preseason.
The Lions are set to open the regular season on Sept. 13 against New Orleans. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, with Fox carrying the game.
Around the league, several former Tennessee players were moved on and off NFL rosters as teams finalized their plans for the 2026 season.
William Wright (DB) Chicago Bears Waived
Cedric Tillman (WR) Cleveland Browns Waived (signed with Saints' practice squad)
Joe Milton III (QB) Dallas Cowboys Waived
Jabari Small (RB) Detroit Lions Waived
Tyre West (DT) Detroit Lions Waived (signed to practice squad)
McCallan Castles (TE) Green Bay Packers Waived
Dominic Bailey (DE) Houston Texans Waived (signed to practice squad)
Joey Aguilar (QB) Jacksonville Jaguars Waived (signed to practice squad)
Jerome Carvin (OL) Jacksonville Jaguars Waived
Dont'e Thornton Jr. (WR) Las Vegas Raiders Reserve/injured list
Jaxson Moi (DT) Los Angeles Rams Waived
Jalin Hyatt (WR) New York Giants Waived (practice squad veteran)
Bryson Eason (DT) San Francisco 49ers Waived
Hendon Hooker (QB) Tennessee Titans Waived (signed to practice squad)
Jalen McMurray (CB) Tennessee Titans Waived (signed to practice squad)
Matthew Butler (DT) Miami Dolphins Released
Velus Jones Jr. (RB) Seattle Seahawks Terminated, vested veteran
Shy Tuttle (DT) Washington Commanders Released
James Pearce Jr. (LB) Atlanta Falcons Reserved/suspended
Cade Mays (OL) Detroit Lions Reserve/injured
Omarr Norman-Lott (DT) Kansas City Chiefs Reserve/PUP
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