The Detroit Lions are heading into their preseason finale with the clock working against them. They take on the Indianapolis Colts at Noon Saturday, and then have to lock in their initial roster by 6 p.m. Sunday, which makes this a very real last audition for several players.
For a handful of Lions, a strong afternoon could be the difference between sticking around and watching the roster decisions come down without them. Four names stand out as needing a big game to help their case.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker is in the middle of an open backup battle that never really settled the way Detroit planned. Teddy Bridgewater’s retirement changed the picture, and the Lions responded by signing veteran Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs was not especially sharp against the Washington Commanders, but his experience still gives him the edge because it fits what the team wants.
That leaves Hooker with a clear opening to make things interesting. He has shown a decent grasp of the offense and the ability to extend plays, and a good performance against the Colts would strengthen his argument to stay on the roster.
Even if Detroit decides not to keep him, a strong finale could improve his chances of getting claimed on waivers. If he clears, he would be a strong candidate to return to Detroit on the practice squad.
The backfield is another spot where the preseason has scrambled the picture. The Lions came into camp with a running back hierarchy that seemed straightforward, with Jahmyr Gibbs as the bell-cow, Isiah Pacheco as the second option and Sione Vaki as the third. Injuries have shaken that up.
Kye Robichaux arrived late but showed some promise in the preseason win over Washington. Jacob Saylors looks to be pulling ahead for a spot because of his special teams value and two solid preseason outings, but the injuries to Vaki and Pacheco could open the door for Robichaux.
Detroit has also brought in Kareem Hunt for a visit, which tells you the team is looking for help there. Robichaux brings special teams production, and that’s the kind of role the Lions would be asking him to fill.
If he has a good game against Indianapolis, it adds another reason for Detroit to consider him.
Wide receiver Dominic Lovett is in a tougher spot. The seventh-round pick from last year has flashed here and there during camp, but he hasn’t built enough of a resume to be considered safe.
When he was drafted, some viewed him as a possible successor to Kalif Raymond. But Raymond left in free agency this offseason, and the Lions answered by signing veteran Greg Dortch.
That move leaves Lovett needing to prove he still belongs in the conversation. His preseason has been modest, and he has had a hard time separating himself from the crowd in a battle that could only leave one spot available. If he wants to stay in the mix, he has to stand out against the Colts.
On the edge, Isaac Ukwu has a chance to turn attention his way. He was considered one of Detroit’s best undrafted free agent pickups, and he has shown why at times during camp. There’s pass-rush upside there, along with the possibility of using him as a big end in the scheme.
The Lions do have depth behind Aidan Hutchinson, but Payton Turner’s season-ending injured reserve move creates a real opening for Ukwu to make his case. If he can flash as a pass-rusher, he helps himself. The challenge is that fellow UDFA Eric O'Neill has been showing more on tape lately, so Ukwu needs to make sure he looks like the better option in this final preseason test.
In Other News...
Former Texans Trade Ripple Just Created A New Lions Backfield Concern
The Lions backfield took another turn when Detroit sent David Montgomery to Houston in the deal for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs and two draft picks, then tried to shore up the depth chart by signing Isiah Pacheco to a one-year contract. With Montgomery gone, the team was clearly looking for a capable complement to Jahmyr Gibbs, and Pacheco gave them a familiar downhill option who could fit into that role if healthy.
Pachecos availability is now the issue. The running back has dealt with a sprained MCL and a back injury, leaving his status for the season opener uncertain and adding a layer of anxiety to a position group the Lions thought they had stabilized. For a team built to keep its offense balanced, the concern is not just about one players health, but about whether Detroit has enough trusted bodies behind Gibbs when the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Lions May Finally Have The Edge Partner Aidan Hutchinson Needed
The Lions spent the second round of the NFL Draft trying to give Aidan Hutchinson a proper running mate, and Derrick Moore has already started to make that pick look timely. After missing some training camp work with a minor groin strain, Moore has still flashed enough in preseason action to reinforce why Detroit targeted him as an immediate part of the edge rusher mix.
Moore is expected to step right into the rotation opposite Hutchinson, which matters for a defense that has leaned heavily on its top pass rusher. For Detroit, the appeal is obvious: if Moore can keep building on the early promise he has shown, the Lions may finally have the kind of edge presence that makes offenses pay for focusing so much attention on Hutchinson. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Surprise Receiver Decision As Final Cuts Near
Tay Martin has quietly turned himself into one of the more interesting names in Lions camp. The undrafted receiver out of the UFL has drawn attention not just for holding his own on the practice field and in preseason action, but for doing the kind of dirty work coaches tend to notice in August, especially on special teams. For a roster that always values toughness and versatility, that kind of steady presence can matter as much as flash.
Dan Campbell pointed to Martins consistency and special teams value as reasons he has kept pushing into the conversation for a 53-man spot. Final roster calls will come after the cutdown deadline following Detroits last preseason game, and Martin has at least made the decision one the staff will have to think about. Whether there is room for him in the end is still unresolved, but he has done enough to keep his name in the mix when the numbers start getting tight. [Read more 🡒]