Lions waive promising defensive back with injury settlement

The Detroit Lions made their first official transaction after their Saturday afternoon preseason game with the waiving of Dicaprio Bootle from the injured reserve. Bootle's release comes one day after the team waived UFL star offensive linemen Keaton Sutherland, who was also waived with a settlement.

Bootle joined the Lions on July 18 to add depth to their defensive backfield as the team continues to fight through injuries early in the 2025 season. The former Nebraska defensive back injured himself against the Miami Dolphins during their joint practice and was placed on injured reserve on August 14.

While Bootle wasn't a typical camp body, his injury certainly didn't help his chances of making the Lions roster, much less continuing his NFL career. Now, Khalil Dorsey, a returning Lions defender, is expected to fill in for Bootle on the depth chart since returning from an injury.

Bootle cut from Lions with injury settlement

Bootle has plenty of NFL experience, proving to be a valuable depth piece to multiple NFL teams in his career. He has appeared in 21 total games with two starts since coming into the league in 2021. Bootle earned a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, and has spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers, as well.

For those unfamiliar, Bootle will be compensated for his time with the Lions as injury settlements often are negotiated to allow injured players fair financial compensation for the time they are expected to miss. Once players are cleared, they are able to work out and potentially sign with any NFL team if given the opportunity.

READ MORE: 4 winners (and 4 losers) from Lions' up and down preseason

Moving forward, the Lions will begin trimming their roster. Between cuts/releases/waivers, injured reserve allocation, and PUP placement, the Lions are expected to begin cuts this weekend. Detroit will have to be at the maximum 53-man roster limit by August 27.

Upon player's releases, recently cut players may have to go through waivers before being signed to the 16 - 17 if including an International Pathway Player - man practice squad for the 2025 season. We will soon get a good idea of which cut, promising players the Lions will target for the practice squad as we reach Tuesday's deadline.

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