The Detroit Lions announced Saturday that they’ve released S Marcus Gilchrist and promoted LB Steve Longa to their active roster.
Gilchrist, 30, is a former second-round pick of the Chargers back in 2011. After four years San Diego, Gilchrist signed a four-year, $22 million contract with $8.5 million guaranteed with the Jets in 2015.
Gilchrist was set to make a base salary of $6 million for the 2017 season when the Jets elected to designate him as a post-June 1 release in 2017. It took until August for him to sign a one-year contract with the Texans.
Gilchrist signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Raiders for the 2018 season and played out his contract. The Lions signed him to a contract a few days ago.
In 2018, Gilchrist appeared in all 16 games for the Raiders and recorded 58 tackles, three interceptions and six pass defenses. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 82 safety out of 90 qualifying players.
Longa, 25, wound up signing on with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers back in 2016. He lasted just a few months in Seattle before he was waived and later signed to the Lions’ practice squad.
Longa bounced on and off of the Lions’ taxi squad in 2017 before returning to Detroit last year on a futures contract. Unfortunately, he was placed on injured reserve during the preseason and later released.
Detroit re-signed Longa to their practice squad soon after.
In 2017, Longa appeared in 15 games for the Lions and recorded 13 tackles.
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