Zonovan Knight came into this year’s training camp ready to prove he belonged not just in the NFL, but also as a key member of the Detroit Lions’ running back corps.
Despite his efforts, Knight’s time with the Lions has come to an end early, with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reporting that the team intends to waive him.
At only 23 years old, Knight’s career took a turn last season when the New York Jets cut him owing to their overcrowded backfield. The Lions noticed potential and soon added him to their practice squad. Within three weeks, he was promoted to the active roster, but a shoulder injury suffered in a Week 5 victory over the Carolina Panthers ended his season after only two games.
The Lions re-signed Knight earlier this year, looking to add depth to their running back corps before free agency. They were most likely waiting for flashes of the promise he displayed during his debut season in 2022, when he had 85 carries for 300 yards and a touchdown in seven games.
This preseason, Knight struggled to find his groove. In his debut against the New York Giants, he gained 12 yards on six carries. However, in the next week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Knight showed flashes of life, carrying eight times for 36 yards with an average of 4.5 yards per carry.
Unfortunately, Knight did not have much of an impact in the preseason finale at Ford Field. He had 10 carries for 27 yards in the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Knight had planned to fight for the RB3 position, his performance was insufficient to dislodge Craig Reynolds or outperform Jermar Jefferson.
As the Lions begin to downsize their roster, they have already released numerous players, including wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, Kaden Davis, and tight end Shane Zylstra. With the deadline approaching, NFL teams must finalize their 53-man rosters by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
