The Lions will open the season with two safeties on the physically unable to perform list.
Their release of their initial 53-man roster confirmed that Kerby Joseph will miss at least the first four games while dealing with a knee issue. The team also announced that Brian Branch will stay on the PUP list while returning from a torn Achilles.
Offensive lineman Giovanni Manu will also miss at least four games while on the non-football injury list. Center Cade Mays landed on the injured reserve list.
In addition to those moves, the Lions have waived or released DL Myles Adams, LB Joe Bachie, TE Tyler Conklin, WR Greg Dortch, WR Tom Kennedy, LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB Troy Reeder, DL Ben Stille, RB Trayveon Williams, QB Luke Altmyer, WR Tarik Black CB Ekow Boye-Doe, DB Aamaris Brown, OL Devin Cochran, CB Bump Cooper Jr., WR Malik Cunningham, TE Thomas Gordon, OL Gus Hartwig, TE Zach Horton, LB Erick Hunter, S Dan Jackson, WR Lucky Jackson, WR Dominic Lovett, DE Anthony Lucas, G Mason Miller, G Melvin Priestly, CB Eric Scott Jr., DL Chris Smith, OL Colby Sorsdal, S Jason Taylor II, DL Tyre West, CB Nick Whiteside, RB Roydell Williams, and OL Michael Niese.