It seems that every single year, the Detroit Lions make a roster cut that initially makes you go, “HUH?” only to realize moments later that the player will almost certainly be returning to the roster at a later point. Teams do this for several reasons. For one, there are ways to utilize roster cuts so that if you have more than 53 players you want to keep, you can manipulate the transaction wire in a way to ensure you don’t lose that 54th or 55th player to another team. Additionally, NFL rules allow you to essentially have extra roster spots via injury lists.

Take, for example, last year’s Lions roster cuts. Detroit cut defensive tackle Kyle Peko in the initial cutdowns; however, they quickly signed him to the practice squad and then added him to the 53-man roster after Week 1. Why? Two r

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