The Detroit Lions’ 2026 roster cuts turned up more than a few surprises, and the practice squad that followed answered some questions while leaving plenty of others hanging. As the team shifts into its Week 1 prep against the New Orleans Saints, the conversation around the 53-man roster is centered on a handful of decisions that stood out immediately.
One of the biggest talking points is the running back group. The Lions kept five players there, and the most eye-catching name is Jabari Small, who has been dealing with several injuries during camp. That choice opens the door to all kinds of questions: why was he kept, is there some roster maneuvering still to come, is it a sign of concern about Isiah Pacheco’s health, or does this mean Detroit really plans to carry five running backs all year?
The other major shock came at receiver. Greg Dortch is not on the 53-man roster, and he’s not on the practice squad either, as he now lands with the Buffalo Bills. That raises a fresh set of questions about what Detroit wants to do at returner and how a receiver room that once looked like one of the deepest Dan Campbell has ever had ended up with just four players on the active roster.
Cornerback is another spot that drew plenty of attention. Ennis Rakestraw made the roster over Nick Whiteside, though Whiteside is back on the practice squad, which softens the blow a bit.
Still, the bigger issue is the overall depth in the secondary and whether Brad Holmes should have been more aggressive with “pessimistic planning” once the Terrion Arnold news first came out. Even then, it’s fair to ask what more he realistically could have done.
Those are the headliners, but the full roster picture includes plenty of other position-by-position questions as well.
In Other News...
Lions Add To Crowded O Line Picture With Another Intriguing Move
The Lions kept adding to an already busy offensive line mix by signing former Buccaneers lineman Elijah Klein to the practice squad. A sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Klein has already appeared in 26 games with one start, giving Detroit another young blocker with some pro experience to evaluate as the roster takes shape.
Detroit has plenty of offensive linemen around the building between the active roster and the practice squad, so this is less about a clear immediate role and more about creating competition and depth. For Klein, the next step will be figuring out where he fits in a group that is already crowded, which makes his path with the Lions worth watching as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Already Have A New Reason To Feel Great About Blake Miller
The Lions went into the preseason looking to sort out the right side of their offensive line, and Blake Miller has wasted little time making the decision easy. Detroit took the tackle with the No. 17 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, then watched him work his way into the starting right tackle job by outplaying veteran Larry Borom and earning steady praise from the coaching staff and the media.
Miller has looked comfortable in both phases of the game, showing the kind of power in the run game and reliability in pass protection that can settle an offense quickly. For a team that values stability up front, it is an encouraging early sign that the rookie is not just holding his own, but pushing the Lions to feel better about a spot they needed to get right. [Read more 🡒]
Brian Branch Could Give Lions Defense A Huge Early Lift
Brian Branchs arrival on the sideline this fall is still expected to come with a delay, but the Lions have reason to believe the wait wont be a long one. The versatile defensive back is slated to open the 2026 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list after the Achilles injury he suffered in December 2025, a setback that would normally cloud a players early-season availability much more heavily than this one appears to.
Branchs recovery has reportedly been moving in the right direction, and there is already a sense he could be back at practice after only two weeks on PUP. If that timetable holds, Detroit could be talking about getting one of its most valuable defensive pieces back by Week 6 or Week 7, a boost that would matter even more given how much the unit leans on his range and flexibility compared with the situation around Kerby Joseph. [Read more 🡒]