NFL roster cuts: Lions waiving versatile defensive back

Hallett was firmly on the roster bubble all of training camp, and there was some belief he could make the team after showing off his versatility. Initially believed to be in competition at outside cornerback, the Lions started playing him at both nickel and safety this year, and he looked somewhat comfortable in those roles.

“You need a corner, you need a nickel, you need a safety, he can do them all,” coach Dan Campbell said after the preseason game vs. the Dolphins. “Mentally, he knows them all. So, that gives you the ability to—really it’s about, ‘Well, what can the next guy do? Well, we know he can only play this. Okay, well Hallett, you need to go over there then. You become safety or nickel.’ So, he’s kind of our get-us-out-of-trouble (guy) there.”

Hallett originally joined the team in 2024, and spent most of the season on the practice squad. For that reason, he looks he could be headed back there for 2025. With Detroit already reportedly waiving rookie safety Ian Kennelly, things continue to look promising for second-year safety Loren Strickland, but there is still plenty of cuts to be made before the Lions reach the 53-man roster limit by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.