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          Detroit Lions release veteran LB Jamie Collins after exploring trade

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          Clark, Orlovsky get on Rex over Jamie Collins' ejection (1:00)

          Ryan Clark and Dan Orlovsky call Rex Ryan soft for siding with the official who ejected Jamie Collins against the Bears. (1:00)

          • Eric Woodyard, ESPNSep 28, 2021, 08:37 PM
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              Eric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: "Wasted, Ethan's Talent Search" and "All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story". He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan. You can follow him on Twitter: @E_Woodyard

          DETROIT -- After attempting to trade linebacker Jamie Collins, the Detroit Lions announced Tuesday that he has been released.

          Collins, a nine-year veteran, stopped reporting to practice ahead of Week 3 as the Lions explored options for his future. Coach Dan Campbell said last week that he met with Collins to communicate the team's plans to seek a trade, but the Lions ultimately couldn't reach a deal for him.

          Collins can sign with another team immediately. He is making a fully guaranteed $8.8 million from Detroit this year ($5 million bonus, $3.8 million salary).

          A one-time Pro Bowler, Collins racked up 10 total tackles, with one for a loss, and a fumble recovery in back-to-back defeats to San Francisco and Green Bay this season.

          Campbell said last week that he felt it was "time for a reduced role" for Collins and decided to play the younger members of the roster.

          "We've been through two games now and you make your assessment and your judgement after two games and that's where we're at," Campbell said of Collins last Thursday. "There again, we felt like it was, if you're going to grow and you're going to try to get better as a team, as a unit, everything, you better do it now.

          "There again, I think this is best for Jamie as well. He gets a chance to go somewhere and do what he does and we're just in a different place."