Lions waive 2 offensive players

The Detroit Lions waived center Seth McLaughlin and running back Jabari Small on Wednesday. The moves opened two spots on the Lions’ 53-man roster 11 days before the team’s 2026 season opener vs. the New Orleans Saints.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter took to X, formerly Twitter, to share the Lions’ announcement shortly after the team made the moves official.

“Lions announced they waived C Seth McLaughlin and RB Jabari Small.”

McLaughlin, 25, joined the Lions on a reserve/future contract in January after spending 2025 on the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad. The Ohio State center won the 2024 Rimington Trophy and earned consensus All-American honors, but a torn Achilles contributed to him going undrafted in 2025. Detroit initially retained him as depth after Cade Mays landed on injured reserve with a wrist injury. Juice Scruggs remains the Lions’ top center.

Small, 24, signed a futures deal in January. The Tennessee running back spent time with the Titans before joining Detroit in July 2025. He made the initial roster after a strong training camp and contributed on special teams but dealt with a concussion late in the preseason.

The roster adjustments followed Tuesday’s decision to place Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve because of back and MCL injuries. He will miss at least four games. The Lions also re-signed tight end Tyler Conklin, adding depth behind Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Jackson Meeks.

McLaughlin and Small have three or fewer accrued seasons, so they must clear waivers before becoming free agents. If they carry no injury designation and go unclaimed, the Lions can bring them back on the practice squad. For now, Detroit’s running backs are Jahmyr Gibbs, Sione Vaki, and Jacob Saylors.