The Lions are cutting cornerback Arthur Maulet , Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Maulet will be free to sign anywhere if he clears waivers.
After combining for 85 appearances and 23 starts with five NFL teams from 2017-24, Maulet joined the Lions’ practice squad on Oct. 8. The Lions were dealing with injuries to cornerbacks D.J. Reed , Terrion Arnold , and Khalil Dorsey when they scooped up Maulet.
Four days after joining the Lions’ taxi squad, Maulet debuted with the team in a Week 6 loss to the Chiefs. He went on to appear in five more games before the Lions cut him.
Over 170 snaps with Detroit (105 on defense, 65 on special teams), the 32-year-old totaled 14 tackles, one pass defensed, and an interception. Maulet’s pick, the fifth of his career, came against Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in a Week 7 victory.
The Lions activated Reed and Dorsey from IR last Saturday, leading to a reduction in playing time for Maulet on Sunday. He picked up just five defensive snaps in a win over the Giants. Arnold has missed back-to-back games with a concussion, but he could return on Thanksgiving against the Packers, per Richard Silva of the Detroit News . If so, the Lions would have a full complement of healthy corners with Arnold rejoining Reed, Dorsey, Amik Robertson , and Rock Ya-Sin among their top five options.