Lions waive pair of players in Wednesday roster moves

The Detroit Lions waived center Seth McLaughlin and running back Jabari Small on Wednesday, opening up a pair of roster spots.

With free agency acquisition Cade Mays currently sidelined , McLaughlin was battling with Juice Scruggs at center. In its initial 53-man roster , the Lions carried five running backs.

Small joined a group of backs that included star Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki. Pacheco has since been placed on injured reserve , meaning he will miss at least the season's first four games.

The Lions signed McLaughlin to a Reserve/Future contract back in January. A former member of the Cincinnati Bengals , the 6-foot-4, 304-pound center did not see any game action as a rookie in 2025.

Small signed with the Lions in July of 2025 and then was waived before 2025 roster cuts. Detroit would ink Small back to its practice squad in December of last year. Like McLaughlin, the 5-foot-8, 205-pound running back was among the players that the Lions signed to Reserve/Future contracts in January.

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