The Detroit Lions announced they have released veteran cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver, who recently was battling a hamstring injury.
On their day off after the first week of training camp, the Detroit Lions announced that they have released cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver.
The veteran cornerback has been with the Lions since the middle of the 2024 season, when he was added to the practice squad in December. He ended up playing in both the regular season finale and the team’s Divisional Round game, filling in for special teams snaps in both games—and even playing in two defensive snaps in the playoffs.
However, it was a very tough training camp for Thomas-Oliver. He started the week on the Non-Football injury list. After sitting out the first three days of practice, Thomas-Oliver returned to the field to compete for a reserve cornerback spot. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stay on the field for long. He left Saturday’s practice with a hamstring injury, per the team, and did not return.
That likely means this release was with an injury designation. That could result in Thomas-Oliver eventually returning to the roster. If the team and player agree to an injury settlement, Thomas-Oliver will not be able to sign with the Lions for whatever the agreed-upon length of the injury settlement is, plus an additional three weeks. For example, if the Lions believe this is a four-week hamstring injury, the Lions would have to wait at least seven weeks to re-sign him. Other teams would only have to wait out the four-week period.
As of now, the Lions have not made any corresponding moves, meaning they have an open spot on the 90-man roster.