National Football League

Lions cut K Tavecchio, CB Green, QB Franklin

Published Aug. 25, 2014 2:22 p.m. ET

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ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Lions have decided to give seventh-round pick Nate Freese a chance to kick for them this season.

Detroit cut kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, who was competing with Freese for the job.

The Lions also released cornerback Jonte Green and put safety DeJon Gomes on injured reserve Monday with a neck injury to trim their roster to 75. Green was a sixth-round pick in 2012 and started seven games the past two years.

Quarterback James Franklin, an undrafted rookie from Missouri, fullback Chad Abram, punter Drew Butler and cornerback Aaron Hester were also released ahead of the team's preseason finale Thursday night at Buffalo.

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