The Detroit Lions are heading into their Week 4 matchup with the Carolina Panthers with another familiar name available on the roster bubble. The team announced that safety Jalen Mills has been elevated from the practice squad for the second week in a row ahead of Sunday night’s road game.
Detroit’s injury picture is fairly light entering the primetime trip. Guard Ben Bartch has already been ruled out, while veteran D.J.
Reed is listed as questionable after dealing with a rib injury throughout the week. Reed was limited in practice, though there’s nothing to suggest he won’t be available against Carolina.
On the offensive side, new coordinator Drew Petzing isn’t yet working through the ripple effects of center Cade Mays eventually returning from a wrist injury. For now, he said the staff is taking that one step at a time.
“Yeah, right now honestly, not there mentally," said Petzing. "I think as that comes to fruition, it's one of those things like deal with the problem when it presents itself. It'd be a great problem to have, and our goal is always going to be to figure out how to get our best five on the field.”
Defensively, the Lions will be watching Bryce Young closely, especially because his rushing numbers have been unusually low through the first three weeks of the 2026 regular season. Young has only three recorded rushing attempts so far, which caught Dan Campbell’s attention earlier this week.
“I am. I am because that's been something that he's done quite a bit of and really hurts defenses," Campbell said.
"So I am, but no matter what it is, his eyes are always downfield. And then it's okay, well it's not there.
I'm out in the open. I'll take off.
So, he's still dangerous. It still shows up.
I mean, he had one in Chicago Week 1 that was -- there it is, man. You just gave him the lane.
"Everybody's covered up and then he takes it all the way. So I am, but that whole thing doesn't mean anything because I'm like, we better be ready. I mean, he could take off 10 times this game for all I know if we give it to him.”
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 🡒]