NFL Detroit Lions

5 Veterans Who May Not Return For the Detroit Lions

5 Veterans Who May Not Be Back With the Detroit Lions

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Gregory Shamus Getty Images

The Detroit Lions earned a playoff spot with an 11-5 regular season record, and they'll take on the Dallas Cowboys late Sunday afternoon.

Win or lose on Wild Card weekend, here are five veterans who may not be back with the Lions next season.

5. TE Brandon Pettigrew

Brandon Pettigrew Detroit Lions
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

5. TE Brandon Pettigrew

Brandon Pettigrew Detroit Lions
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Pettigrew finished the regular season with just 10 receptions for 70 yards in 14 games played. The Lions have decent depth at tight end, with 2014 first-round pick Eric Ebron, Joseph Fauria and possibly Kellen Davis in the mix for next season, so keeping Pettigrew in the fold would not be a necessity.

4. QB Dan Orlovsky

Dan Orlovsky Detroit Lions
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

4. QB Dan Orlovsky

Dan Orlovsky Detroit Lions
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

There's a chance Orlovsky is brought back as Matthew Stafford's backup, but Kellen Moore is younger and may be an upgrade.

3. WR Ryan Broyles

Ryan Broyles Detroit Lions
Harry How-Getty Images

3. WR Ryan Broyles

Ryan Broyles Detroit Lions
Harry How-Getty Images

Broyles has been a healthy scratch often this year, only playing in five regular season games with two receptions for 25 yards. He finished his college career as the all-time reception leader in FBS history, but Broyles' time in the NFL may be close to over.

2. C Dominic Raiola

Dominic Raiola, Detroit Lions
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

2. C Dominic Raiola

Dominic Raiola, Detroit Lions
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Raiola is playing on a one-year deal this season, and despite his assertion otherwise retirement may be an option whenever the Lions' season ends. The Lions have his possible replacement, rookie Travis Swanson, on their roster, so even if Raiola wants to play next season it may not be in Detroit.

1. DT Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

1. DT Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Suh will be a free agent this offseason, I expect him to simply be too expensive for the Lions to keep. The franchise tag is an option, but an increasingly unlikely one all things considered.

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