The Lions may have a new rookie option to lean on this week, and his path could come on either side of the ball.
Tyliek Williams has been dealing with a foot issue, and while it appears he may be able to go, Detroit also has reason to be careful with one of its more important defensive pieces. That could create a window for Skyler Gill-Howard, who was dominant during training camp and the preseason but has not yet taken on a major role in the regular season.
On defense, the Lions have gotten strong work from their established front-line players, including Williams and Alim McNeill. But with a long season ahead, Detroit needs more of its depth to start making an impact, and this week could be a chance to get Gill-Howard on the field against the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions also head toward the bye week, which makes managing Williams even more important.
When Gill-Howard has played, he has looked pretty good. A larger defensive role would give Detroit a different look and might be one way to stir things up on that side of the ball.
What makes Gill-Howard even more interesting is that he has already carved out a niche on offense. Detroit has used him as a lead blocker in the red zone in heavy packages, and he has handled that job effectively near the goal line. Jared Goff saw it firsthand in Week 3 against the New York Jets and was impressed by what Gill-Howard brought as a blocker.
So even if his defensive workload stays limited, Gill-Howard could still matter in the scoring area. If the Lions want to punch it in close, they may turn to him again.
For Detroit, the simplest answer may be the best one: get Gill-Howard more involved, wherever the Lions can use him.
In Other News...
Lions Make A Quiet D-Line Move That Could Matter Fast
Detroit added another body to its defensive line mix with a practice-squad signing that fits the kind of low-key move teams make when they want more options without making a splash. Jeffrey MBa has been around the leagues International Pathways Program and spent time on the Washington Commanders practice squad, giving the Lions a developmental depth piece as they continue sorting through the line rotation.
The timing is what makes it worth watching. Detroit has leaned on the front to steady things when other parts of the defense have been less reliable, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has already pointed to the lines strong play despite those issues elsewhere. With the group still absorbing new wrinkles and juggling availability, a practice-squad addition can become relevant faster here than it would elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Get A Close Look At A Possible Jared Goff Insurance Plan
Jared Goff is set to make his 74th consecutive regular-season start for the Lions against the Cardinals, a run that now ranks as the second-longest active streak among NFL quarterbacks. For Detroit, that durability has been a steadying force, but it has also kept the backup conversation in view. The Lions have had reason to keep an eye on Jacoby Brissett, who has emerged as a possible candidate to strengthen the depth chart behind Goff.
Brissett enters the matchup as Arizonas starter, and his play this season has made him a name worth monitoring around the league. For a Detroit team that has treated quarterback insurance as a real roster priority, the appeal is obvious, especially if the Cardinals eventually decide to move in a different direction under center. Whether the Lions can do more than observe from afar is the lingering question. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Branch's Status Just Got Bigger For Detroit's Secondary
Brian Branchs recovery has become one of the quieter but more important storylines around Detroits defense, especially with the Lions trying to settle in before the schedule turns to division play. Dan Campbell made it clear the safety is still working his way back from an Achilles injury, and Kelvin Sheppard has already signaled how eager the staff is to plug him back into the mix once he is medically cleared.
For a secondary that has had to keep piecing things together, Branch is the kind of player whose return can change the conversation fast. The current expectation is that his first game back will come after the Week 6 bye, which lines up with Detroit heading into Week 7 and the stretch that really starts to matter in the NFC North. [Read more 🡒]