Alim McNeil is due back soon, who gets cut?

The Lions started the 21-day clock on Alim McNeil last week, so his window to either go on season-ending Injured reserve or join the active roster is already a 1/3 over. The expectations are that he will join the team this week against Kansas City, but that means someone form the active roster will need to be sent to a reserve list or cut/released.

If we make the assumption that one of the 10 DL that the Lions have on the active roster will have to go, it pretty much comes down to Chris Smith or Mekhi Wingo in our opinion. Tyler Lacy and Tyrus Wheat are the other depth players on the DL, but it’s pretty clear why Wingo and Smith are the most likely cut. Below is the case for and against seeing one of these two get the Ziggy:

Chris Smith – No. 90

6’1” 316lbs

25 Years Old

2023 UDFA (Lions) from Notre Dame

Exp – 2 Years

Contract Expires: 2025 - $657K Remining

ERFA in 2026

Why cut?

• Zero Cap Liability

• 2 Tackles (o solo) and 1 QB Hit in 5 games in three years

• Likely won’t get picked up or signed by anyone

• Has been Inactive all Five games this year

• Primarily an IDL

Why Keep?

• Cheap, likely has played even or outplayed Wingo

• Same Cap Savings as Wingo (~$678K in remaining 2025 game checks)

• Still relatively young at 25 years old

Mekhi Wingo - No. 94

6’0” 288lbs

22 Years Old

2024 6th Rd Pick (Lions) from LSU

Exp – 2 Years

Contract Expires: 2027 - $3.08M remaining

UFA in 2028

Why cut?

• Minor Dead Cap Liability ($46K)

• 10 tackles (2 solo) in 12 games in two years

• Been an inactive for Four weeks (Week 2) this year

• Depth chart aligns at same IDL position as McNeil

Why Keep?

• Brad Holmes Draft Pick

• Still young at 22 Years Old

• Likely would get claimed by another team and not make it to Practice Squad

• Same Cap Savings as Smith (~$678K in remaining 2025 game checks)

• Versatile size can play End or DT

Conclusion:

I think the logical conclusion is that when McNeil is activated, Chris Smith will likely be the player that is cut and the Lions will likely try to bring him onto the practice squad. Mainly because he hasn’t been activated for a single game this season, suggesting he is depth position #10 of 10 DL on the roster. There is a small chance that Wingo gets cut due to lack of development, but Brad Holmes hates to give up on his draft picks before making sure that they are 100% replaceable.