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Lions Cut Former Chiefs Super Bowl Champion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 7:25 PM ET

The Detroit Lions closed their 2025 NFL preseason on Saturday night with a 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans. Despite the 1-3 preseason record, Dan Campbell’s team expects to be among the top Super Bowl contenders this year, joining the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

With the preseason coming to an end this weekend, many NFL teams have started to solidify their 55-man rosters. And the Lions have made their first cut as well.

Lions Release Dicaprio Bootle

On Sunday, the Lions announced that they have waived cornerback Dicaprio Bootle from the injured reserve list, agreeing to an injury settlement as well.

"Lions have released CB Dicaprio Bootle from Reserve/Injured with an Injury Settlement," the Lions wrote on X.

Bootle signed with Detroit on July 18, but suffered a lower leg injury on August 13 that put him on the injured reserve list. But with his injury settlement, Bootle will be compensated.

Looking at Bootle's NFL Career

After spending his entire college career with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Bootle went undrafted in 2021. He later signed with the Chiefs as a free agent, making their practice squad during his rookie year.

Bootle spent most of his two seasons in Kansas City on the practice squad but was elevated for seven games, recording 11 total tackles. While he never appeared in a playoff game with the Chiefs, he did earn a Super Bowl ring with them in the 2022 season.

Bootle went on to spend the 2023 season with the Carolina Panthers and 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers, earning significantly more playing time than he did in Kansas City. Through 15 games over the last two years, Bootle tallied 17 total tackles and two passes defended.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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