The Detroit Lions have released cornerback DiCaprio Bootle from injury reserve with an injury settlement, the team announced on Sunday.
After signing with the Lions July 18, Bootle left an August 13 practice early to be evaluated for a lower leg injury. He would be placed on injured reserve the next day ahead of a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins.
Bootle, who was a member of the 2022 Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, played 36 defensive snaps in the Hall of Fame Game for the Lions, followed by another 22 against the Atlanta Falcons in a preseason matchup.
He recorded three tackles across his two preseason appearances with the Lions.
Since going undrafted out of Nebraska in 2021, Bootle has jumped from team to team, looking for opportunities to get on the field. He’s turned four signings onto practice squads into promotions to an active NFL roster.
He’s played at least three games in every season since joining the league, first with Kansas City in 2021 and 2022, followed by stints with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Chargers the next two seasons.
In 22 career games, Bootle has 28 total tackles and two pass defenses, while primarily getting on the field as a special teams contributor.
While the injury made this decision more simple for the Lions, major roster cuts are coming on Tuesday as NFL teams must bring their numbers down to 53 players at the conclusion of preseason.
