16 Detroit Lions fighting for rosters spots in preseason finale
· Yahoo Sports
Earlier this week, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell noted that because of the team’s quick turnaround from their preseason game (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET) and the roster cuts deadline (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET), the team will have to have many of their roster decisions already made by the time they take the field against the Indianapolis Colts.
“You have got to have a pretty good idea where you’re at before you go into that game, knowing there’s a few spots left,” Campbell said.
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And there are a few spots left, and at least a dozen players vying for those final spots. Here are 16 players I believe are still battling for a spot on the Lions’ 2026 53-man roster, and that doesn’t even include the 20+ players who will be fighting for a place on the 16-man practice squad.
QB Josh Dobbs, QB Luke Altmyer
The Lions’ backup quarterback job has been wide open since Teddy Bridgewater retired in the middle of training camp. Campbell has already offered his final thoughts on the backup job going into the preseason finale, and this is a battle that really feels like it could go either way. While Altmyer has impressed given his status as an undrafted rookie, it would not be surprising to see Detroit go with the experienced veteran.
WR Tay Martin, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Dominic Lovett
The Lions are likely set with their top four receivers (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch), but there is a strong competition for a fifth (and potentially sixth) spot in a receiver room Campbell has praised.
Martin is likely the top candidate given how much he has been repping with the first and second teams, as well as the top special teams units. But don’t count out the veteran Tom Kennedy, who can play multiple offensive roles and has recently expanded his value by being a top returner on the team. Lovett has the biggest mountain to climb, as he fell out of the returner competition and has been inconsistent on offense.
I’m not completely counting out other players, either, like Lucky Jackson or Tarik Black.
TE Jackson Meeks
I don’t think there’s much question that Meeks is TE4 on the team, but he still needs to justify Detroit keeping that spot over a WR6 or LB6/7 or CB7 or DL10. Meeks is still very much learning the tight end position, but his athleticism, strength, and moxie could make him a decent special teams player—and that’s where he’ll have to win a roster spot.
G Mason Miller
The Lions’ offensive line situation is a little messy with injuries right now. Here’s how I view the room right now:
- Locks: Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, Tate Ratledge, Larry Borom
- Probably safe: Miles Frazier, Ben Bartch
- Injured: Michael Niese, Cade Mays, Seth McLaughlin(?)
- Probably out: Colby Sorsdal, Melvin Priestly, Gus Hartwig, Devin Cochran
With eight players likely in, but Detroit in desperate need of a healthy backup center, Mason Miller could suddenly see his value skyrocket. He took second-team center reps on the final day of training camp, despite very little experience there.
Now, it’s possible McLaughlin’s injury is not considered serious (we currently have no update), and he could be the easy ninth OL on the roster, but if Miller balls out on Saturday, it’s possible he makes a run for the 53-man roster that no one saw coming.
DT Chris Smith, DT Mekhi Wingo, DT Ben Stille
All camp, Campbell has raved about the depth along the defensive line, and there’s a very good chance Detroit has to let go some player who will eventually find playing time elsewhere. What’s particularly difficult about this group is that they all give you something a little different.
Chris Smith is a strong, disciplined nose tackle who “does everything right.” Mekhi Wingo is a pass rushing three-tech who has made a late push at training camp. Ben Stille can play anywhere from the nose to the big end position, and has made a play at nearly every practice over the last two weeks. Smith and Stiller, in my opinion, are fighting for the last roster spot on the team, and both have made strong cases.
LB Troy Reeder, LB Joe Bachie, LB Erick Hunter, LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
With the unfortunate injury to Damone Clark and the very real possibility that rookie Jimmy Rolder starts the season on IR, there is at least one—possibly two—roster spots available to these four linebackers.
Either Campbell or special teams coordinator Dave Fipp have given all four of these players individual praise on their work both on defense and special teams. Linebacker is such an important position on special teams and Reeder, Bachie, and Ogbongbemiga all have extensive history helping out in that regard. But Hunter brings the most intrigue as a rookie with a ton of athletic potential and flashy plays in training camp.
CB Ennis Rakestraw, CB Roger McCreary
Detroit could easily fit both players on the 53-man roster, and that may be exactly what they end up doing. But Rakestraw and McCreary have both danced around the roster bubble this training camp. McCreary may have pulled himself out with two strong preseason performances, but he is still not repping particularly high. Rakestraw likely needs the big finish more, but the Lions may also be more willing to be patient with the 24-year-old corner.