The Detroit Lions plan to release veteran defensive end Za'Darius Smith, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Sunday. The Lions talked about options over the past week, but a $2 million roster bonus due Friday spurred the action,

The Detroit Lions plan to release defensive end Za’Darius Smith, according to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler. Smith was due a $7 million option bonus and a $2 million roster bonus by the end of next week. The Lions will release Smith and not have any dead money to account for from Smith. Detroit saves about $5.7 million in cap space.