The NFL really can be a cutthroat business sometimes. Former Detroit Lions running back William Powell knows this full well. As a member of the team’s practice squad, Powell traveled with the Lions from Detroit to London on Monday in order to help them prepare for a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
There’s one problem here.
Some reshuffling of the roster was needed in order to make up for injuries at tight end. Detroit signed veteran Kellen Davis and released safety Jerome Couplin. The decision was then made to sign Couplin to the practice squad and release Powell.
So this means Powell, who traveled to London on Monday, will be making a return trip to the states on Wednesday. Talk about a quick turnaround and some really fierce jet lag.
Lions head coach Jim Caldwell had this to say about the move (via Detroit Free Press).
It’s a difficult thing to do, and you certainly would not want to do it — a guy just gets here and, within 48 hours, he’s heading back home. But that’s kind of the nature of our business. The guys understand it, and I think, if you’re up front and you tell them exactly why and what the reasons are and those kinds of things, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but they understand.
I hope the Lions at least bought Powell a few drink vouchers for the trip.
Photo: Zimbio.com