The Detroit Lions parted ways with two defensive linemen this week. Tackle Isaiah Buggs was waived from the active roster on Tuesday, followed by the Lions releasing EDGE Burce Irvin from the practice squad on Wednesday. Both men played in the Week 17 loss to the Cowboys.
Head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the departures during his meeting with the press on Wednesday afternoon.
On Buggs, Campbell did not go into much detail.
“Yeah, I mean, look, those things, they’re – when those things happen, nothing about it is easy, but it’s just – it was the best thing for us and for him. So, I wish him the best of luck,” Campbell said.
Buggs had been a healthy scratch most of the season when Alim McNeill was healthy earlier in the season, and McNeill is now returning from a month-long stint on injured reserve.
The head coach dove quite a bit deeper when discussing Irvin, who was officially waived shortly before this press conference took place.
“Yeah, yeah and that one’s tough too, man. Bruce, what a pro. I mean, he is. He’s been a blessing to have him around here,” Campbell effused. “I mean, he just brings a whole different perspective. I mean, he’s as professional as you get. I mean, just the way he goes about his business, everything about him. And we talked last week, talked again yesterday, had a long talk and so just at this moment, it just – couldn’t totally commit and he’s got stuff going on too. And so, it’s hard. I mean, it’s just one of those, at this point it just wasn’t going to work out. But he’s an absolute stud, he sure is.”
The tangible change in Campbell’s tone and more verbose sendoff for Irvin can only be seen as an indication that the coach still wanted Irvin around. The same cannot be said for Buggs.