Detroit Lions lose valuable veteran just days away from postseason – Bruce Irvin out of team

Head coach Dan Campbell bid farewell to the veteran.

With the ticket to the postseason in their hands but with the second place in the seeding still up in the air, the Detroit Lions roster has just suffered a hard blow. This morning, veteran Bruce Irvin announced his departure from the team.

According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelisero, the linebacker’s departure was by mutual agreement, but head coach Dan Campbell hinted that it had been a complicated negotiation for both parties.

It should be remembered that Irvin arrived in Detroit only on November 14. The team signed the 12-year veteran to its practice squad, and he saw almost no action this season.

The West Virginia graduate barely saw action in three games this season, all as a substitute, with one tackle and one sack. However, his main role on the team was as a mentor to a young defense that was renewed only in the 2022 season.

A complicated departure

At a press conference this Wednesday, Campbell explained that they had spoken with Bruce a couple of times, the last of which was a long talk on Tuesday. “And so just at this moment, (we) couldn’t totally commit,” the HC explained.

Campbell indicated that “he (Irvin) has got stuff going on, too. So it’s hard. It’s just one of those things at this point; it wasn’t going to work out. But he’s an absolute stud. He sure is.”

Irvin, for his part, said goodbye to the squad and the fans through his X account. “As a 12-year vet, thank you for the opportunity to be part of your team- however, I’m looking forward to what’s next,” said the player.

More moves on the Lions roster

Irvin's departure continues to raise some doubts among specialists. Although the team needs to make room on its 53-man roster to reactivate C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Alim McNeill from the injured list, Bruce had no place on the main roster.

In fact, as a member of the practice squad, the team could have called him up as many times as he wanted without giving him a contract on the 53-man roster.