Lions Release Former Steelers Nose Tackle

The Detroit Lions have released former Steelers nose tackle Isaiah Buggs from their active roster, the team announced on Tuesday. In a statement, Buggs said goodbye to Detroit after spending the last two seasons with the team. He was cut to make room for the returning Alim McNeil.

“Thank You Detroit For Everything The Past Year Has Been Amazing From Meeting New People Playing With Great Teammates But The Time Has Come For Me To Say Goodbye. Detroit 96 Out,” Buggs posted on X.

Buggs was picked by the Steelers in the 2019 NFL Draft, latching on with the team for three seasons before they released him. After that, he would land with the Las Vegas Raiders before finding his home in Detroit, where he found new life to revitalize his career. From here, Buggs, 27, will try to find a new home this offseason as a veteran in the NFL.

The Steelers were the team that drafted him, but the Lions are the team where Buggs seemed to carve out the biggest role. His time in Pittsburgh was often hampered by injuries and an inconsistent ability to stay on the football field. He has 89 career tackles to this point in his career after being cut by the Lions.

This season, he played in ten games, racking up a sack. He has 23 starts over his career, including 13 in 2022 for the Lions, where he had the best season of his career, posting 10 quarterback hits, a sack, and 46 tackles as the nose tackle in the Lions defense.