In an effort to create more salary cap room as free agency approaches, the Lions released veteran offensive lineman Leroy Harris on Monday. 

Harris, 29, was active for just one game in 2013, his first season with the Lions. He had spent the previous six seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

The move will save the Lions about $2 million in salary cap room.

Free agency starts March 11 and it’s looking unlikely that the Lions will sign Ndamukong Suh to an extension before then. Suh’s salary cap hit for 2014 is $22.4 million which is why the Lions want to extend him and reduce that number. The problem is that Suh fired his agents several weeks ago and has not hired new representation. The Lions can’t negotiate until he does.

Monday was the deadline for using the franchise tag and, as expected, the Lions did not use it.

The Lions have three starters — Brandon Pettigrew, Willie Young and Rashean Mathis — who they are trying to re-sign before free agency.

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