Detroit Lions training camp is down to its last three practices, and the timing could not be tighter for the players sitting on the edge of the roster. From Tuesday through Thursday, those final sessions will be the last chance to make a memorable push before Saturday afternoon’s preseason finale, with roster cuts coming in the 24 hours after that game.
That makes the closing stretch especially important for anyone trying to turn a good camp into a job. Coaches remember what happens late, and a strong finish can matter just as much as an early flash.
So which Lions player needs that kind of late surge most?
There are several candidates, starting with the backup quarterback battle. Josh Dobbs still looks like the favorite because of his experience, but after a few critical mistakes in the preseason opener, he needs to clean things up and finish well to hold that edge. Luke Altmyer has outperformed expectations overall, though his momentum has dipped a bit after a strong start.
The receiver room is another spot worth watching. With Cedrick Wilson Jr. now on injured reserve, the competition behind Tay Martin for the WR5 job is wide open. Dominic Lovett, Lucky Jackson, and Tarik Black should all get more chances, and they need to make those snaps count if they want to separate themselves.
Defensively, the linebacker group stands out. Damone Clark and Jimmy Rolder are still sidelined, which means Erick Hunter, Troy Reeder, and Joe Bachie will keep getting opportunities. For that trio, the next few practices could go a long way toward securing a place on the 53-man roster.
But the biggest name in need of a strong finish might be Ennis Rakestraw. His camp has been rough, and even though he had a decent run of practices last week, it ended with an injury and a quiet showing in the preseason game. His roster spot may not be in real danger, but a strong finish would help show he’s moving in the right direction and could eventually push for a starting primary backup role.
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Jared Goff Just Reopened An Uncomfortable Lions Question About John Morton
Jared Goffs latest comments have put an old Lions talking point back in the spotlight: how much stability this offense really has had under Dan Campbell. Detroit moved on from John Morton after the 2023 season and brought in Drew Petzing, continuing a pattern that has seen Campbell cycle through four offensive coordinators in six seasons. For a team built around consistency and growth, the turnover has remained one of the quieter but more persistent questions around the offense.
Goff has been complimentary of Petzings variability and leadership, a contrast that only sharpens the memory of what he experienced under Morton. Mortons track record as an offensive coordinator has also been limited, with previous stops lasting briefly and producing mixed results. For the Lions, the issue is less about revisiting the past than about whether this latest change gives Goff and the offense the kind of continuity they have been searching for. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have A Real Question Behind Jahmyr Gibbs
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Hunt would be a familiar sort of addition for a roster that has already leaned into familiar names at the position, even if his recent production has been modest. With uncertainty lingering around players such as Isiah Pacheco and Jacob Saylors, the Lions appear to be doing the practical thing and keeping the conversation open as they look for one more reliable layer of insurance. [Read more 🡒]
Lions New Rivalries Uniform Could Define Their Next Look
The Lions are set to add another look to the wardrobe in 2026, with a new uniform arriving through the NFLs Rivalries program when they face the Vikings on Nov. 1. It is part of a leaguewide rollout that will give every team a fresh uniform over four years, and for Detroit it comes with the added pull of one of its most familiar divisional opponents.
Team president Rod Wood said the design was developed collaboratively with Nike, with the goal of giving the Lions a modern twist while staying rooted in the franchises traditional colors. For a team whose identity has long been tied to its classic palette, the new set could end up being more than a one-off novelty if it lands the way the club hopes. [Read more 🡒]