Detroit Lions finalize trade for Harrison, release Williams

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions finalized the trade for defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison, officially announcing the deal with the New York Giants Thursday morning. The release listed the compensation as an undisclosed draft pick, but ESPN previously reported the Lions will send the Giants a fifth-round selection in 2019. 

To clear room for Harrison on the roster, the Lions released defensive tackle Sylvester Williams.

The Lions signed Williams to a one-year, $3.5 million deal this off season to play nose tackle in Matt Patricia's defense scheme. As a vested veteran, Williams' salary became guaranteed when he made Detroit's original 53-man roster to start the year. 

More: Rogers: Lions pull off masterful move in snagging Damon Harrison

Williams recorded just six tackles in six games for Detroit and had seen his playing time on the decline in recent weeks. He played just one snap in the team's Week 5 win over Green Bay and 14 last weekend in Miami, his second-smallest workload on the year. 

With the addition of Harrison, Williams' role on the roster was redundant, especially given Harrison's durability. The newest Lion hasn't missed a game in five years, while averaging 40 snaps per contest during his two-plus year stint with the Giants.