After two straight injury plagued seasons, Lions release linebacker DeAndre Levy

The Lions have released linebacker DeAndre Levy.

Due to a slew of injuries, Levy has only played in six games over the last two seasons.

Levy took to Instagram to say goodbye. Levy wrote in part, "There's not a sports city more deserving of a championship. Thank you, Detroit."

 

Man, it's been a great 8 years. The last 2 have been tough personally, but I wouldn't have made it without being around a group of teammates I enjoy being around and want to give my all for. Being a Lion has been tough but rewarding and I'm forever grateful to have been able to spend the last 8 here in Detroit. The last second wins, the heartbreaking losses, the up and down seasons, Gridiron's touchdown song, regime changes, questionable officiating (understatement), all were apart of shaping this amazing experience here. There's not a sports city more deserving of a championship. Thank you, Detroit. Peace

A post shared by DeAndre Levy (@dre_levy) on

Mar 9, 2017 at 4:30pm PST

By releasing Levy now, the Lions could will avoid $1.75 million worth of salary that would have become guaranteed on Saturday. 

In August of 2015, the Lions re-signed Levy to a new contract worth a total of $37 million over five seasons.