The Detroit Lions have released wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith from injured reserve as of Tuesday. Smith had been placed on the injured reserve list earlier in training camp due to an unspecified injury. His placement on IR indicated that he would miss the entire regular season with the Lions. However, by releasing him from injured reserve, Smith now has the opportunity to sign with another team once he fully recovers from his injury.
Smith’s last complete season in the NFL was in 2022 when he played for the New Orleans Saints. During that season, he appeared in 15 regular-season games. He managed to record 19 receptions out of 27 targets, accumulating 278 yards and scoring one touchdown. Despite these contributions, Smith did not have a particularly standout season in 2022.
A third-round draft pick by the Saints in 2018, Smith had previously shown flashes of potential in New Orleans’ offense. Over the years, he became known for his ability to make big plays downfield, but injuries have hampered his consistency. His career has seen moments of promise, yet he’s struggled to stay healthy for an entire season.
Smith’s release from the Lions gives him the possibility of a fresh start with another team, provided he can fully recover from his current injury. At 27 years old, he still has time to find a role in the NFL, whether as a depth receiver or potentially contributing on special teams. His experience and ability to stretch the field could appeal to teams in need of depth at the wide receiver position.
For now, Smith will focus on getting back to full health and waiting for the next opportunity to present itself. Once he is medically cleared, he could be a candidate for teams seeking experienced receivers as the season progresses, especially those dealing with injuries to their own wide receiving corps.
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