Eagles release Lions' 2020 third-round pick before cut deadline

The “City of Brotherly Love” is no longer Julian Okwara's professional home. Before the deadline for roster cuts on Tuesday at 4 p.m., the Philadelphia Eagles announced that they are releasing the fifth-year defensive end.

Okwara, 26, signed with the Eagles in February after the Lions decided not to offer him a reserve/future contract after the 2023 season. The former Notre Dame star spent the first four years of his NFL career in Detroit, where the Lions selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Lions' signing of Okwara reunited him with his brother Romeo, whom the Lions had signed two years earlier.

During his four seasons with the Lions, Okwara appeared in 38 games (starting four times) and recorded 54 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, nine sacks, three pass deflections, one interception and one forced fumble – with one recovery. His second season in Detroit was his most productive, with 27 tackles, five sacks and the aforementioned interception and forced fumble, which he also recovered.

Despite his potential, Okwara's time with the Lions was hampered by a series of injuries.