Lions release Don Carey, Sign Marcus Cooper

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesThanksgiving day wasn’t a particularly fun day to be a Lions fan after the Lions squandered the game late and inevitably lost. But there was a bright spot: the return of long time Lion Don Carey to the franchise’s special teams unit.

Don actually had a pretty good game. His presence was felt on a unit that’s been a massive train wreck plagued by holding and illegal block penalties all year long. Don’s leadership was always felt on special teams and throughout the locker room, which is why it was shocking when the Lions did not bring him back in the offseason. Even more shocking is the Lions’ decision to cut him Friday to make room for Marcus Cooper.

Cooper…