NFL roster cuts nearing and the Detroit Lions have gotten a head start releasing eight players on Monday. The Lions had until Tuesday afternoon to get down to the 80-man roster limit.

The cuts made on Monday include RB Mike Bell; WR Demario Ballard; WR Marcus Harris; TE Richard Dickson; DT Montavious Stanleyl; LB DeJuan Fulghum; S Michael Johnson; K Dave Rayner.

Generally, the first round of cuts include a lot of undrafted free agents and guys at the bottom of the roster. SB Nation's Pride Of Detroit notices two notable names on this list.

The two names on this list that jump out to me are Bell and Rayner. After missing the Patriots game with an illness, Bell's chances of making the 53-man roster took a big hit, so it's not a huge surprise he has been let go. Still, it's notable because the running back competition now includes one less player.    

The Lions already lost a running back for the year due to injury in RB Mikel Leshoure. 

The Lions next round of cuts will come on Sept. 3 when they need to get to 53 players. Check out Pride Of Detroit for the reaction to the first round of cuts.