Brad Holmes always has a trick or two up his sleeve. This year, he might have three.

The Detroit Lions set their initial roster at Tuesday’s cut deadline and only kept 50 players on their 53-man roster.

They waived rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein with an injury settlement, with thoughts of bringing him back later in the year. They cut young pass rushers Keith Cooper Jr. and Nate Lynn, but surely will try to re-sign them to practice squad. And they waived quarterback Hendon Hooker, as expected , allowing him to seek a fresh start somewhere else once he clears waivers.

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