The Detroit Lions’ initial 53-man roster came with plenty of head-turning choices, but one move stands out above the rest: keeping Jabari Small.
Small’s spot was not a sure thing once the preseason played out the way it did. He sat out the first game because of a knee injury, then managed only three carries before leaving the second preseason game with a concussion.
In the third and final preseason game, he was knocked out after taking a hit on a kickoff return. That’s a rough stretch for any player, especially one who had reportedly been battling Jacob Saylors for a roster spot.
Still, the Lions clearly saw enough to keep him around. One possibility is that his injury isn’t serious enough to send him to Injured Reserve, since Detroit used only one of its two IR-to-return designations on cutdown day, and that went to Cade Mays.
Another is that the team simply valued what Small brings. He’s shifty, can help as a receiver, and can contribute on special teams - all traits that make him an easy fit for a roster spot if a team wants to keep him in the mix.
There’s also one more angle that makes the decision even more interesting: if Detroit is carrying five running backs on the initial roster, it raises questions about the status of Isiah Pacheco for Week 1.
Even with all that, the choice still feels a little surprising. Small staying on over someone like Nick Whiteside is the one move that has me still shaking my head. At the same time, it’s hard not to be happy for Small and curious to see what he can do once the season gets rolling.
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Lions Sent A Clear Message With Their First Practice Squad Choices
The first practice squad move after cutdowns gave a decent read on how the Lions are sorting through the back end of the roster. Detroit kept a number of the waived players who cleared, building out the initial 2026 group with familiar depth and developmental pieces, while also choosing to move on from running back Trayveon Williams rather than circle back with a return to the practice squad.
Luke Altmyer was among the players retained, a sign the Lions want to keep working with the rookie quarterback as he settles in behind the scenes. Altmyer also offered some perspective on the preseason interception he threw, a small reminder that Detroit is still using these early roster decisions to balance short-term depth with longer-term evaluation. [Read more 🡒]