The Detroit Lions have waived rookie wide receiver Jackson Meeks, according to a report from The Detroit News’ Nolan Bianchi on Monday.
Meeks was among the bigger standouts for the Lions during preseason play after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse.
The nephew of former Lions EDGE Za’Darius Smith, Meeks began charting his own path this preseason with strong days in training camp and dynamic play in many of the Lions’ preseason games.
Meeks had a slow start with one catch for five yards in the Hall of Fame Game, but exploded over the next two games with 10 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He failed to record a catch in the preseason finale, but only saw one target that was uncatchable.
Despite the standout play, Meeks came into a tough situation. The Lions returned the majority of their receiver production with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond all still in the fold.
Rookie third-round draft pick Isaac TeSlaa also made huge waves in preseason and wasn’t going to be cut after Detroit traded up to select him this year.
“Man, I can’t really give you an answer on that,” Meeks told MLive when asked if he deserves to make the roster after Saturday’s preseason finale. “I feel like I went out there and put good football on tape, and that’s all I can do. Blocking, the special teams -- just whatever my job is when I’m out there. That’s all I can do, you know what I’m saying?”
According to Bianchi, the Lions plan to sign Meeks to their practice squad, if he clears waivers.
Having so much of his big preseason on tape for other teams to see could make him an easy target for another roster. But if he makes it through waivers, Meeks will be a strong addition to the practice squad.
Check out MLive’s full Detroit Lions roster-cut tracker here
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