Detroit Lions Release Hometown Linebacker, Veteran Retires Hours Later
DETROIT — The Detroit Lions announced roster adjustments on Tuesday, but the move unexpectedly turned into the end of a local career. What began as a practice squad shuffle ended in an emotional retirement.
The franchise initially revealed the release of a familiar figure, opening roster space for new additions at linebacker and offensive line. What appeared to be a routine transaction quickly shifted into something far more significant.
That player was linebacker Anthony Pittman, a Detroit native who entered the league with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Known for his work ethic, he played 51 games primarily on special teams.
Pittman’s journey was defined by perseverance. After short stints with Washington and Jacksonville, he returned home late last season. Elevated for Week 1 against Green Bay, he logged 21 snaps on special teams in the opener.
Detroit Lions Release Anthony Pittman, Sign LB to Practice Squad pic.twitter.com/Ofq7Tzcqv9
— Adam Schetfer (@fanhub_nfl) September 10, 2025
Twelve hours after learning of his release, Pittman announced his retirement from football. “I gave everything to this game, especially here in my city. Now it’s time to start the next chapter of my life,” he said.
In his place, the Lions signed offensive lineman Devin Cochran and linebacker Monty Rice. Cochran, standing 6-foot-7, brings size and versatility after three seasons with Cincinnati. Rice offers experience, tallying 128 career tackles since entering the league in 2021.
For Detroit, the changes reflect ongoing roster adjustments early in the season. For Pittman, the move closed the book on a seven-year journey that began in his hometown and ended with a fitting, if bittersweet, goodbye.
Chiefs Re-Sign 6-foot-2 Rookie Wide Receiver Amid Injury Issues
The Kansas City Chiefs opened the 2025 campaign with a disappointing 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and even though they have only played one game, injury concerns are beginning to pop up across the roster. Perhaps the spot that has been hit the hardest is wide receiver, which is an issue the team had to deal with in 2024.
With Rashee Rice being suspended for the first six games of the season and Jalen Royals being ruled out ahead of Week 1, the Chiefs were already shorthanded at wide receiver, but they took another big hit when Xavier Worthy was forced out of the game on the first drive with a shoulder injury. With his Week 2 status in doubt, Kansas City opted to reunite with Hal Presley on Tuesday.
Chiefs Sign Hal Presley to Their Practice Squad
Presley didn’t hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he quickly signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent. He didn’t last long with them, though, as he ended up getting released after rookie minicamp. That led to the Chiefs signing him ahead of training camp, where he flashed his potential on several occasions.
It wasn’t much of a surprise to see Presley get released as part of the team’s final roster cuts, but he ended up latching on with their practice squad. Again, he didn’t stick around for very long, as Kansas City ended up releasing him one day after signing him to their practice squad, and he’s spent the past couple of weeks waiting for his next opportunity.
With the Chiefs getting hit hard by injuries at wide receiver, they are looking for some more depth, which led them back to Presley. On Tuesday, Presley found his way back to Kansas City, re-signing with its practice squad as an emergency option in the event more injuries pop up at the wide receiver spot moving forward.
“Chiefs are signing WR Hal Presley to practice squad per a league source,” Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported in a post on X.
Chiefs Hoping to Get Healthy at Wide Receiver Soon
GettyThere’s new context for Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury.
The likelihood of Presley suiting up for the Chiefs is low, but he’s still a solid developmental prospect who has familiarity with the team’s offensive scheme. If he’s needed in a pinch, he can fill in on offense, and even if he isn’t needed, there’s no harm in developing him behind the scenes. Chances are Worthy won’t play in Week 2, meaning that Kansas City’s depth is going to be tested again early in the season.
If Worthy and Royals both can’t play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2, that will force Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton to step up once again in the passing game. The injury bug has already hit the Chiefs pretty hard, but they will have to do their best to not focus on that as they gear up for their Super Bowl LIX rematch with Philadelphia at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.
