INDIANAPOLIS — At the NFL Combine today, Lions coach Jim Caldwell explained why wide receiver Nate Burleson and safety Louis Delmas were released last week.

“Obviously two good men, when you look at those two guys in terms of leadership,’’ Caldwell said. “I could tell in preparation to play them and then also just talking to the guys on the team that understand and realize the great contribution they made to the team overall. 

“But we have to take a look at everything. Evaluate everything. Obviously just in terms of personnel office, our coaching etc., see where things fit. We have to make adjustments along the way, not all of them are going to be pretty. Obviously that’s where we are today,’’ Caldwell said.

It seems obvious, money was an issue. Burleson, who was willing to take a pay cut, was set to make $5.5 million and Delmas $6 million in 2014.

A possible return of Delmas, who has struggled with left knee woes, has been reported.

“I think in this business you never say never, but we’ll see what happens,’’ Caldwell said.

Caldwell will have more to say later this afternoon when he talks to the Detroit media.

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