The Detroit Lions head into Week 4 with a road trip to Carolina and a fresh depth chart that reflects the latest roster shuffling, injuries, and a few notable new faces.
At quarterback, it’s still Jared Goff (16) running the show, with Josh Dobbs (11) behind him. The backfield is led by Jahmyr Gibbs (0), followed by Sione Vaki (33) and Jacob Saylors (25). Isiah Pacheco (10) remains on injured reserve with an MCL strain and back injury, and he is expected to be out until December.
At receiver, the top group stays intact with Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Jameson Williams (1), Isaac TeSlaa (18), Tay Martin (17), and Tom Kennedy (85). Tight end also looks settled, with Sam LaPorta (87), Brock Wright (89), Tyler Conklin (83), and Jackson Meeks (13) listed.
Up front, the projected regular-season starters are Penei Sewell (58) at left tackle, Christian Mahogany (73) at left guard, Juice Scruggs (70) at center, Tate Ratledge (69) at right guard, and Blake Miller* (76) at right tackle. Behind them, Larry Borom (79), Miles Frazier (71), and Seth McLaughlin (65) are in reserve. Ben Bartch (78) is out with a foot injury, while Giovanni Manu (59) is on the injured list as a non-football injury.
The defensive front features Alim McNeill (54), Tyleik Williams (91), Skyler Gill-Howard* (50), Levi Onwuzurike (95), and Mekhi Wingo (94) inside. On the edge, Aidan Hutchinson (97) leads the group, with DJ Wonnum (98) listed at rush end and not carrying an injury designation despite a back issue. Tyler Lacy (93), Derrick Moore* (8), Eric O’Neill* (66), and Ahmed Hassanein (99) round out the unit.
At linebacker, Jack Campbell (46) is the MIKE, Derrick Barnes (55) the SAM, and Malcolm Rodriguez (44) the WILL. Trevor Nowaske (53), Devin White (45), Jimmy Rolder* (41), and Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) are also in the mix, with Ogbongbemiga signed to the active roster this week.
In the secondary, D.J. Reed (4) is questionable with a rib injury.
Roger McCreary (21), Ennis Rakestraw (2), Rock Ya-Sin (23), Khalil Dorsey (30), and Keith Abney* (6) fill out the cornerback and nickel spots. At safety, Chuck Clark (36) and Christian Izien (5) are joined by Jalen Mills (27), who was elevated from the practice squad for this game, and rookie Bishop Fitzgerald* (34).
Brian Branch (32) remains on the PUP/eligible to return list with an Achilles issue and could be back soon, while Thomas Harper (12) is on injured reserve with an ankle injury and Avonte Maddox (29) is out for the season with a foot injury.
The specialists stay the same: Jack Fox (3) handles punting and holding, Jake Bates (39) is the kicker and kickoff man, and Hogan Hatten (49) is the long snapper. For return duties, Tom Kennedy (85) is listed on punts and kickoffs, with Jacob Saylors (25) also handling kick returns. Khalil Dorsey (30), Tay Martin (17), and Christian Izien (27) are listed as gunners, while Sione Vaki (33) serves as the personal protector.
In Other News...
Panthers Hit With New NFL Discipline Right Before Lions Game
The Panthers are dealing with a little added noise before their matchup with the Lions, as the NFL handed down fines to three Carolina players for penalties committed in Week 3 against Cleveland. A.J. Dillon was fined for a facemask, Lee Hunter for unsportsmanlike conduct tied to taunting, and Thomas Incoom for unnecessary roughness involving helmet use.
None of the three was suspended, so Carolina will still have its full group available when it lines up against Detroit. Even so, the discipline serves as a reminder that the league is watching closely, and the Lions will face a Panthers team trying to keep its edge without letting the extra attention spill into Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Face A Sam LaPorta Question They Couldn't Settle
The Lions and Sam LaPorta have hit pause on contract-extension talks after several weeks of negotiations failed to produce a deal, a familiar sort of detour for a franchise that has not shied away from working on its own timeline. LaPortas side decided to step back for now so the tight end can stay focused on the season, leaving open the possibility that the conversation picks up again once the games are over.
For Detroit, the situation turns one of its most important young pieces into an offseason question again, even if the door is not closed. The team has a history of handling contracts during the season, and it would not be a surprise if it tries again to keep LaPorta in place long term, especially with the chance that any agreement could land him among the leagues highest-paid tight ends. [Read more 🡒]
Isaac TeSlaa Has A Real Chance To Build On Last Week
Isaac TeSlaa finally gave the Lions a glimpse of what he can add to the passing game last week, finishing with four catches for 66 yards against the Jets. For a second-year receiver still trying to carve out a steadier role, it was the kind of outing that can change how a coaching staff looks at the depth chart from one week to the next.
The next opportunity looks even more inviting against Carolina, which has already lost two starting cornerbacks to injured reserve. With Detroit likely looking to keep feeding TeSlaa after his uptick in involvement, betting analyst Drew Ellis is expecting him to top his receiving total from last week, a sign that this might be more than a one-game spike for a young player trying to force his way into the offense. [Read more 🡒]