ALLEN PARK -- Veteran safety Marquand Manuel was cut by the Lions today.

Manuel, who signed as a free agent in 2009, started six games last season at strong safety. In nine games total he had 36 tackles, two pass defenses and one forced fumble.

The Lions signed safety Randy Phillips, an undrafted free agent out of Miami, who had been at minicamp with the Lions. Phillips was coming off a shoulder injury and the Lions had been keeping an eye on his progress.

“He looked good to us. He’s got some catching up to do, but he also has a little experience. Tim Walton, our secondary coach, coached at the University of Miami with him so they speak the same language,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

The Lions also cut DT Leger Douzable to make room on the roster for Ndamukong Suh who is expected to practice for the first time this afternoon after agreeing to a deal on Tuesday night.