Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Prediction | Preseason Week 2

Another Detroit Lion preseason game is in the books, and the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster is beginning to tighten up.

Aug 26, 2026

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Detroit Lions—The team bounced back, following the 16-14 preseason loss to Cincinnati with a 17-13 win over Washington. The second game gave several players fighting for the final roster spots another opportunity to make their case—and some took advantage of it—others, not so much.

The offensive line remains unsettled. The battles at running back, wide receiver and tight end have become clearer. Defensively, several young players have made it increasingly difficult to leave them off the roster.

This projection reflects the roster board created August 22 and information available through August 23. Any projected IR, Reserve/NFI or injury-settlement designation is exactly that—a projection for how Detroit could manage the roster.

This is not simply about identifying the 53 best players. Special teams, positional flexibility, injuries, developmental value and the ability to cover multiple jobs will determine several of the final spots.

OFFENSE | 24 PLAYERS

QUARTERBACK: 2

Behind Goff, the preseason has been far less stable. Rumor has it the Lions are watching the league-wide 53-man cuts for an upgrade. Keep an eye on Aidan O’Connell in Las Vegas. My sources tell me there is legitimate interest, and if the Raiders keep O’Connell, I believe it will be for one reason—trying to force a trade rather than lose him for nothing. With Mendoza the future and Cousins the bridge–O’connell is likely out either way. The Lions have averaged 2.2 QBs on the 53-man roster since 2021.

IN

(QB1) Jared Goff
(QB2) Joshua Dobbs

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

P-Squad: Luke Altmyer

JOSHUA DOBBS

Through two preseason games, Dobbs played 51 offensive snaps, completing 11-of-20 passes for 106 yards with one interception while rushing three times for 62 yards and a 50-yard touchdown. Ball security is not a concern, as some would have you believe—the strip-sack-TD against Washington was hardly his fault. Dobbs showed exactly why his mobility and veteran experience can help this team win. The familiarity with Petzing gives Detroit a more established option behind Goff.

LUKE ALTMYER

Through two preseason games, Altmyer played 83 offensive snaps, completing 22-of-35 passes for 216 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. One Cincinnati interception bounced off Isaac TeSlaa’s hands; the second came trying to steal the game late. Against Washington, Altmyer improved to 9-of-13 for 86 yards without a turnover, but took four sacks. The undrafted rookie threw 22 touchdowns against five interceptions at Illinois in 2025. The arm and composure are worth developing; pressure recognition is why I prefer the P-Squad.

RUNNING BACK: 4

Petzing inherits a back capable of becoming the centerpiece of both the rushing and passing games. Jahmyr Gibbs enters 2026 after rushing for 1,223 yards at 5.0 yards per carry while adding 77 receptions, 616 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns. Isiah Pacheco adds downhill power, but injuries have limited both Pacheco and Sione Vaki during camp.

The depth has responded. Jacob Saylors has rushed for 87 yards on only 14 preseason carries, and Detroit produced 169 rushing yards against Washington without its top backs available. Detroit has averaged exactly 4.0 running backs from 2021-2025.

IN

Jahmyr Gibbs - Isiah Pacheco - Sione Vaki - Jacob Saylors

CUT/RELEASED

Raheem Blackshear
Jabari Small

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

Vet-Squad: Trayveon Williams

ISIAH PACHECO

Through two preseason games, Pacheco recorded zero offensive snaps and no statistics while dealing with a sprained MCL that has held him out of practice since August 4th. Detroit brought him in to provide an experienced, physical runner behind Gibbs with a similar but different style. Assuming his health remains manageable, Pacheco gives Petzing a proven NFL back with 51 NFL games, 42 starts, and 2,537 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns and a 4.4-yard career average.

SIONE VAKI

Through two preseason games, Vaki recorded zero offensive snaps while working his way back from a wild camp injury. He suffered a broken nose and an eye injury when a hand came through his facemask—one of the stranger injuries of Lions camp this summer. Through 27 NFL games, Vaki has 18 special-teams/defensive tackles, including 14 solo, one forced fumble and a 23.5-yard average on four kickoff returns. Detroit does not need RB3 carries from Vaki—his coverage and return production give him a weekly game-day role.

JACOB SAYLORS

Through two preseason games, Saylors played 49 offensive snaps and seven special-teams snaps, rushing 14 times for 87 yards—6.2 per carry—while catching three passes for 28 yards. That explosiveness is not limited to offense. Saylors led Detroit with 897 kickoff-return yards in 2025 and ranked seventh in the NFL with a 27.2-yard average. Campbell called him “pretty electric” during camp. Saylors can legitimately run the football and handle kickoff returns, giving RB4 a defined Sunday role instead of becoming an inactive roster spot.

WIDE RECEIVER: 5

The final spot comes down to which receiver can contribute without needing significant offensive volume. St. Brown, Williams and TeSlaa give Detroit its primary receiver structure, while Dortch adds an experienced slot and return option. Detroit could still choose to carry only four receivers because of Gibbs’ receiving ability, mixed with the likelyhood to carry four tight ends. However, carrying five provides better protection against injury and gives Petzing more personnel flexibility. The Lions have averaged 5.2 wide receivers on the initial roster.

IN

Amon-Ra St. Brown - Jameson Williams - Isaac TeSlaa
Greg Dortch - Tay Martin

CUT/RELEASED

Malik Cunningham
Tarik Black

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

P-Squad: Dominic Lovett - Lucky Jackson

Vet-Squad: Tom Kennedy

Projected Injury List: Kendrick Law (IR) - Cedrick Wilson Jr. (IR)

GREG DORTCH

Through two preseason games, Dortch played 14 offensive snaps and four special-teams snaps, returned two punts for 24 yards and added a 22-yard kickoff return. There was immediate pop against Washington—a 16-yard punt return followed by the 22-yard kick return. That matches his NFL history: Dortch owns an 8.9-yard career punt-return average and 23.6 on kickoffs. His quick burst and compact frame also fit Petzing’s underneath passing game. Dortch can replace Kalif Raymond’s return role while functioning as Detroit’s WR4.

TAY MARTIN

Through two preseason games, Martin played 61 offensive snaps and 13 special-teams snaps, catching two passes for 25 yards. His block helped spring Dobbs’ 50-yard touchdown against Washington, although a special-teams penalty remains a negative. Campbell specifically praised Martin’s blocking, one-on-one separation and special-teams work after Cincinnati. He also entered camp fresh off a 42-catch, 483-yard UFL season and earned first-team practice reps. Martin has done enough to earn my final receiver spot—after the injury to Cedric Wilson.

TIGHT END: 4

Petzing’s history with multiple-tight-end personnel changes the roster math in 2026. If history teaches us anything, the Lions learned how quickly this room can disappear. Sam LaPorta played only nine games before back surgery, and Brock Wright was later lost with a trachea injury. LaPorta still produced 489 yards and three touchdowns, but Detroit’s third-down efficiency dropped by more than 7% without him on the field. Over 214 third-down attempts, that difference equates to roughly 15 lost conversions. How many of those extra first downs could have changed the season—or put Detroit in the playoffs?

IN

Sam LaPorta - Jackson Meeks
Brock Wright - Tyler Conklin

CUT/RELEASED

Thomas Gordon

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

P-Squad: Zach Horton

BROCK WRIGHT

At 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds, Wright remains Detroit’s established in-line blocker. In Petzing’s heavier personnel packages, his 35 NFL starts carry more weight than preseason receiving numbers. Wright sat out Cincinnati before playing 12 offensive snaps and three special-teams snaps against Washington, catching his only target for three yards. He has been with Detroit for five seasons, appearing in 68 games with 35 starts, 70 receptions, 632 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wright started eight games in 2025 before a trachea injury ended his season.

TYLER CONKLIN

Through two preseason games, Conklin played 44 offensive snaps and four special-teams snaps, catching all four targets for 26 yards. Against Washington, his block helped spring Dobbs’ 50-yard touchdown. Conklin brings 127 NFL games, 69 starts, 270 receptions, 2,645 yards and 11 touchdowns, including four straight seasons with at least 51 catches from 2021–24. He was an afterthought with the Chargers last season, but Detroit is adding a tight end who has already proven he can handle starting volume and produce as a receiver.

JACKSON MEEKS

Through two preseason games, Meeks played 52 offensive snaps and 19 special-teams snaps, catching five passes for 50 yards. Against Washington, he added four catches for 33 yards and forced the late kickoff fumble that essentially ended the game. Receiving ability got Meeks into the conversation; his physical special-teams work is why keeping four tight ends now makes sense. Campbell called him “strong,” “willing” and “smart.”

The former receiver is still learning how to be a tight end—but his 78-catch, 1,021-yard season with Syracuse in 2024 is something to be excited about when it all clicks.

OFFENSIVE LINE: 9

This remains Detroit’s largest offensive concern. ESPN Analytics ranked the 2025 line 31st in pass-block win rate at 56% and 20th in run-block win rate at 71%, while Lions quarterbacks were sacked 39 times. The problems have carried into August. Cade Mays suffered a significant wrist injury, Michael Niese was injured against Washington and Detroit surrendered five sacks in that game. The starting configuration is becoming clearer, but the interior depth remains developmental. My sources have signaled the Lions are looking outside the organization for upgrades to the interior—meaning this group of backups could still change before Week 1.

IN

(LT) Penei Sewell - (LT/RT) Larry Borom
(LG) Christian Mahogany - (RG) Tate Ratledge - (G) Mason Miller
(C) Juice Scruggs - (C) Seth McLaughlin
(RT) Blake Miller - (T/G) Miles Frazier

CUT/RELEASED

Devin Cochran
Melvin Priestly
Colby Sorsdal

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

Vet-Squad: Ben Bartch

Projected Injury List:

Giovanni Manu (R/NFI) - Cade Mays (IR/R) - Michael Niese (TBD)

MILES FRAZIER

Detroit drafted Frazier in the fifth round after starting 50 games for LSU, (37 at guard, 13 at tackle), allowing only four sacks on 1,564 pass-blocking snaps—and zero sacks allowed on 578 snaps in 2024. Frazier lost most of his rookie development to a knee injury suffered during OTAs, missed training camp, preseason and the first nine weeks of the regular season. He appeared in just five games, playing 46 offensive snaps.

Through two preseason games, Frazier played 114 offensive snaps, including all 66 against Cincinnati, where three holding penalties showed how much development remains. Frazier is a 4-way position flex—and that development will continue in 2026.

SETH McLAUGHLIN

Through two preseason games, McLaughlin played 90 offensive snaps and seven special-teams snaps, primarily at center. Cincinnati showed his best traits. On one rep, he moved back across the formation to help Christian Mahogany finish a block—showing awareness in pass protection, quick processing against movement, lateral quickness and the ability to identify late pressure.

Washington exposed the concern scouts had coming out of Ohio State—lack of power. Stronger interior rushers knocked him backward, created penetration and forced the pocket to move. McLaughlin committed a false start, was charged with a sack and was involved in multiple negative run plays. The Lions are strapped for center depth, and McLaughlin is not my first choice. I do have confidence the ability is there—I’m afraid he just needs a lot of reps right now.

MASON MILLER

Through two preseason games, Miller played 79 offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps—27 at right guard against Cincinnati before moving to left guard for 52 against Washington. In the second half against Washington, Miller consistently generated movement in the run game. The position is not new: at North Dakota State he logged 2,630 offensive-line snaps, including 1,845 at right tackle and 744 at guard. Detroit is not teaching a college tackle to play inside from scratch; Miller already has enough guard experience to develop on either side.

LARRY BOROM

Through two preseason games, Borom played 54 offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps. Against Cincinnati, he had the cleaner day, although he was beaten on one of Detroit’s two sacks allowed. Washington was much worse—he lost his first pass-protection rep, contributing to the strip-sack fumble returned for a touchdown, then was beaten again on the next possession before Dobbs threw an interception.

Borom has 38 NFL starts, and Detroit credited him with only one sack allowed across 664 offensive snaps for Miami in 2025. One poor preseason performance does not erase five years of starting experience. Borom does not need to win a starting job—he needs to give Detroit a veteran tackle capable of entering a game on either side without forcing the entire line to reshuffle.

SKYLER GILL-HOWARD INTERVIEW

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DEFENSE | 26 PLAYERS

DEFENSIVE LINE: 5

Detroit’s interior rotation is built around players with distinctly different jobs. Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams anchor the starting structure, Levi Onwuzurike can rush from 3-technique or kick outside, Chris Smith is the 320-pound nose capable of eating double teams, and Skyler Gill-Howard attacks guards with first-step speed. A defense expected to play more nickel, Detroit needs both a true nose and an interior penetrator rather than five tackles built from the same mold.

IN

Alim McNeill - Tyleik Williams
Levi Onwuzurike - Skyler Gill-Howard - Chris Smith

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

P-Squad: Mekhi Wingo - Tyre West

Vet-Squad: Myles Adams

LEVI ONWUZURIKE

Through two preseason games, Onwuzurike played 33 defensive snaps and two special-teams snaps, recording three tackles. Against Washington, his power showed up from multiple alignments—starting inside at 3-technique and kicking outside to 5-technique, where he consistently stressed blockers. The larger question is whether the 2024 version has returned. Onwuzurike generated 47 pressures and 13 quarterback hits across 697 snaps that season before losing 2025 to an ACL injury. If that interior pressure returns, Detroit can use him as both a penetrating tackle and big end without asking him to carry starter-level snaps.

CHRIS SMITH

Through two preseason games, Smith played 41 defensive snaps and six special-teams snaps, recording three tackles. His roster value is not built around sacks or highlight plays. Smith handles interior gaps, absorbs blocks and consistently performs the assignments that allow Detroit’s linebackers and other defensive linemen to finish plays. That role remains necessary even in a deeper defensive-line room. Detroit knows what it gets from Smith, and his reliability keeps him in my five-man interior rotation.

SKYLER GILL-HOWARD

Through two preseason games, Gill-Howard played 61 defensive snaps and five special-teams snaps, producing three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. His first-step quickness has been a problem for guards—attacking their edges before they can square him up and repeatedly forcing quarterbacks off their spot. Against Washington, the film review identified as many as five pressure-worthy reps, grading out with an 80.8 efficiency on defense. At 6-foot, 280 pounds, he is undersized for Detroit’s traditional interior profile, but that lower build, leverage and burst are ideal for attacking slower guards from the 3-technique in nickel. The run defense still needs development; the interior pass rush already looks NFL-ready.

I INTERVIEWED SKYLER GILL-HOWARD 2 DAYS POST DRAFT

EDGE: 5

Hutchinson and Wonnum provide the starting structure, while Moore adds immediate pass-rush upside behind them. Lacy gives Detroit a heavier edge defender who can reduce inside, and Hassanein has shown enough disruption to earn a rotational role. This group works because the players are not interchangeable. Detroit can change its front without substituting entire personnel packages, giving Kelvin Sheppard more flexibility against different offensive looks. The remaining competition is about developmental depth rather than replacing anyone currently projected inside the five.

IN

Aidan Hutchinson, D.J. Wonnum
Derrick Moore, Tyler Lacy, Ahmed Hassanein

CUT/RELEASED

Ben Stille

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

P-Squad: Eric O’Neill

P-Squad: Anthony Lucas

Projected Injury List: Payton Turner (SETTLEMENT)

DERRICK MOORE

Moore missed Cincinnati with a groin injury, then needed only 25 defensive snaps and four special-teams snaps against Washington to produce two tackles, an 11-yard sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble. Sheppard has experimented with standing Moore up—and rushing from wider alignments rather than locking him into one edge spot. The second-round rookie is still learning NFL run fits, an area of his game that needs the most work. If Moore provides explosion and finishing ability behind Hutchinson and Wonnum—this unit should have a legitimate shot at becoming a top 5 EDGE rotation this season.

TYLER LACY

Lacy played 20 defensive snaps and two special-teams snaps, recording two tackles through both preseason games. The numbers are quiet, but his role is different from Detroit’s speed rushers. At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, Lacy is a defensive tackle in a 4-3 or defensive end in a 3-4—he has the mass to set the edge against tackles and tight ends or reduce inside. That positional flexibility allows Sheppard to change alignments without substituting personnel.

He has already played 38 NFL games with 12 starts, producing 58 tackles and six quarterback hits. That size becomes especially useful in nickel—Detroit can remove a linebacker without becoming lighter at the line of scrimmage.

AHMED HASSANEIN

Through two preseason games, Hassanein played 48 defensive snaps and 11 special-teams snaps, producing four tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Most of the damage came against Cincinnati—he immediately announced his comeback by putting Joe Burrow on the ground on his first preseason snap. That wasn’t all, he was disruptive and created pressure throughout the game. Washington was a quiet afternoon, but his burst and effort remained evident. Hassanein has also contributed on special teams—giving himself another way to stay in the game.

Hassanein plays with violent hands, heavy contact and a nonstop motor. He put up 22 sacks and 33 tackles for loss over his final two Boise State seasons—that same disruptive power is translating to Detroit.

LINEBACKER: 6

Detroit’s linebackers were one of the more dependable units on the 2025 defense. Jack Campbell finished second in the NFL with 176 tackles and added five sacks, while Detroit finished with one of the league’s lowest missed-tackle totals. Alex Anzalone is gone in 2026, and Kelvin Sheppard is preparing to use significantly more nickel personnel. In theory, a nickel-heavy defense reduces the number of snaps available for a third linebacker.

The final spots in this room must contribute on special teams and cover multiple linebacker assignments. I wouldn’t be surprised if Detroit kept only five. But with Trevor Nowaske and Malcolm Rodriguez among the better special-teams players on the roster, keeping six linebackers is easier to justify.

IN

Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin White
Malcolm Rodriguez, Damone Clark, Trevor Nowaske

CUT/RELEASED

Amon Ogbongbemiga
Troy Reeder

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

P-Squad: Eric Hunter

Vet-Squad: Joe Bachie

Projected Injury List: Jimmy Rolder (IR/R)

MALCOLM RODRIGUEZ

Rodriguez missed Cincinnati with an ankle injury, then returned against Washington for 19 defensive snaps and five special-teams snaps, recording two assisted tackles and a quarterback hit. Rather than locking him in as an every-down WILL linebacker, Sheppard used him in multiple situations—goal line, coverage and backup MIKE. Four seasons of NFL tape back it up: 50 games, 25 starts, 164 tackles and three sacks. Rodriguez does not need to win the starting WILL job or to beat out Devin White to justify the spot; he can back up multiple linebacker assignments and remain active on special teams without forcing the defense to change its calls when a starter exits the field.

DAMONE CLARK

Clark recorded zero preseason snaps through two games while dealing with an undisclosed injury, leaving Detroit without current game tape to evaluate. His argument comes from NFL experience: 55 games, 26 starts and 190 tackles before arriving in Detroit. At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Clark has the range and starting experience to play meaningful defensive snaps rather than simply cover special teams. The issue is availability. Detroit has enough established tape to justify waiting for him rather than replacing him with an unproven sixth linebacker.

DEVIN WHITE

Through two preseason games, White played 45 defensive snaps and recorded six tackles. Detroit already knew it was adding an experienced downhill linebacker—the 2025 season proved he can still handle an enormous workload. White started all 17 games for Las Vegas and set a Raiders franchise record with 174 tackles, adding 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. His acceleration downhill allows him to attack interior gaps before blockers reach the second level. After several injury-interrupted seasons, White enters Detroit coming off the healthiest and most productive tackling season of his career.

The Lions now have the #2 & #3 top tacklers from 2025—a combined 350 tackles between Jack Campbell and Devin White.

TREVOR NOWASKE

Through two preseason games, Nowaske played 46 defensive snaps and five special-teams snaps, recording seven tackles and a tackle for loss. Detroit has used him both off the ball and near the line of scrimmage, where his length and downhill acceleration show up as a blitzer and run defender. In 2025, Nowaske finished with 12 special-teams tackles—the second-most on Detroit’s coverage units. He is also a backup green-dot communicator and can handle multiple linebacker roles, giving Sheppard another pressure piece without sacrificing special-teams production.

OUTSIDE CORNERBACK: 5

Detroit enters 2026 still searching for stability outside. The 2025 secondary produced 93 pass breakups—fourth-most in the NFL—but the defense finished 28th in opponent red-zone passer rating at 104.3 and allowed 19 red-zone passing touchdowns without an interception. Injuries also prevented the starting secondary from developing continuity.

Detroit’s defensive structure places pressure on corners to tackle and understand where their help is coming from. Carrying five outside options gives Sheppard enough depth without sacrificing the secondary flexibility provided by the nickel and safety rooms. The preseason has shown physical tackling and ball disruption, but deep-ball coverage remains inconsistent.

IN

D.J. Reed - Rock Ya-Sin
Nick Whiteside - Keith Abney II - Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

CUT/RELEASED

Ryan Cooper Jr.
Ekow Boye-Doe

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

Vet-Squad: Khalil Dorsey

NICK WHITESIDE

Through two preseason games, Whiteside played 62 defensive snaps and 19 special-teams snaps, recording five tackles and a pass breakup. Cincinnati continued what had been a strong camp, but Washington exposed the concern—vertical speed. Whiteside surrendered three receptions for 69 yards, including a 55-yard completion after losing the receiver downfield. That game cannot be ignored, but neither can the first-team reps he earned throughout camp. Detroit must decide whether Washington exposed a permanent limitation or simply produced Whiteside’s worst afternoon of the summer.

KEITH ABNEY II

Through two preseason games, Abney played 61 defensive snaps and 21 special-teams snaps, recording eight tackles and recovering a red-zone fumble. His Cincinnati tape showed the same physical tackling and ball awareness Detroit drafted. At Arizona State, Abney recorded 98 tackles, 21 pass defenses and six interceptions across three seasons; opposing quarterbacks completed only 44.4% of their throws at him in 2025. Detroit has also tested him inside. Abney’s ability to tackle, play the football and contribute on special teams gives him multiple ways to earn Sunday snaps as a rookie.

ENNIS RAKESTRAW JR.

Through two preseason games, Rakestraw played 46 defensive snaps and nine special-teams snaps, recording eight tackles and a pass breakup. His physical press coverage remains his best trait—using length and contact at the line to disrupt timing before receivers enter their routes. The issue remains availability. Injuries have interrupted nearly every stage of his NFL development, including a 2025 season without a regular-season appearance. At 24, Detroit still has time to develop the former second-round pick, but the evaluation can no longer separate talent from durability.

NICKEL CORNERBACK: 2

Nickel becomes far more important if Sheppard reduces Detroit’s traditional 4-3 usage. The Lions finished ninth overall on third down in 2025 at 36.9%, but the defense struggled when opponents reached obvious passing situations—converting 26.7% of third-and-10 or longer against Detroit. Roger McCreary and Christian Izien give the defense two experienced interior options, while other defensive backs have been cross-trained inside. The objective is not simply adding another corner. Detroit needs nickel defenders who can disguise coverage, tackle in space and survive against bigger slot receivers without forcing constant substitutions.

IN

Roger McCreary
Christian Izien

CUT/RELEASED

Aamaris Brown

CHRISTIAN IZIEN

Through two preseason games, Izien played 31 defensive snaps and seven special-teams snaps, recording two assisted tackles. Detroit used him heavily against Cincinnati before reducing him to five defensive snaps against Washington. His NFL résumé explains why the Lions do not need excessive preseason evaluation. Izien has already played 45 NFL games with 15 starts while handling both nickel and safety assignments. That positional history allows Sheppard to move him within the secondary without teaching a new position if injuries force Detroit to change its starting combination.

SAFETY: 3

Detroit’s 2025 deep coverage problems cannot be separated from the health of this room. Kerby Joseph appeared in only six games and Brian Branch played 12, leaving the starting pair together for just six games. Opponents posted a 109.4 passer rating on throws traveling at least 21 yards, producing 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns. With Joseph and Branch projected for reserve designations, Detroit opens 2026 without its preferred safety combination again. Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper must prevent explosive passes long enough for the room to get healthy.

IN

Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox
Thomas Harper

ASSUMED ROSTER PLACEMENTS

P-Squad: Dan Jackson

Projected Injury List: Kerby Joseph (R/NFI) & Brian Branch (R/NFI)

THOMAS HARPER

Harper played 39 defensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps against Cincinnati, recording three tackles and a pass breakup before sitting out Washington. This is not his first NFL evaluation. Harper played 12 games for Detroit in 2025 after logging 264 special-teams snaps with Las Vegas in 2024. His ability to contribute immediately on coverage teams becomes more important while the safety room is injured. Detroit needs someone capable of handling defensive snaps without becoming a special-teams liability—Harper has already shown he can do both.

SPECIALISTS: 3

Detroit’s specialists remain one of the least complicated rooms on the roster. Jake Bates made 27-of-34 field goals in 2025 and 54-of-56 extra points, while five of his seven misses came from beyond 50 yards. Jack Fox again remained one of the league’s stronger punters, and Hogan Hatten provides continuity at long snapper. The real 2026 competition is in the return game after Kalif Raymond’s departure. Greg Dortch immediately created field-position potential against Washington, giving Detroit a proven candidate without using a separate roster spot strictly for returns.

IN

(K) Jake Bates - (P) Jack Fox - (LS) Hogan Hatten
(PR/KR) Greg Dortch - (KR) Jacob Saylors

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ROCK’S READ

Two preseason games have changed the conversation. I’m no longer trying to find 53 players—the harder question is which good players Detroit can afford to lose.

The offense is where the uncertainty remains. The interior offensive line still needs help, QB2 could change after league-wide cuts and injuries have complicated several depth decisions. That is where Brad Holmes can still alter this projection before Week 1.

Defensively, the opposite has happened. Young players such as Skyler Gill-Howard, Ahmed Hassanein, Keith Abney and Nick Whiteside have created legitimate competition behind the starters. Detroit suddenly has more playable depth along the defensive front and secondary than it did entering camp.

My projection remains 24 offensive players, 26 defensive players and three specialists—53 total. The injury designations are projections based strictly on the roster as it stood through August 23.

One preseason game remains, but the final roster is no longer about finding enough players who belong. Detroit has to decide which ones it can risk losing.

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