Earlier this week, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell noted that because of the team\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have got to have a pretty good idea where you\u2019re at before you go into that game, knowing there\u2019s a few spots left,\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019 2026 53-man roster, and that doesn\u2019t even include the 20+ players who will be fighting for a place on the 16-man practice squad.<\/p>\n
QB Josh Dobbs, QB Luke Altmyer<\/p>\n
The Lions\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
WR Tay Martin, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Dominic Lovett<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not completely counting out other players, either, like Lucky Jackson or Tarik Black.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t think there\u2019s 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\u2014and that\u2019s where he\u2019ll have to win a roster spot.<\/p>\n
The Lions\u2019 offensive line situation is a little messy with injuries right now. Here\u2019s how I view the room right now:<\/p>\n
Locks: Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, Tate Ratledge, Larry BoromProbably safe: Miles Frazier, Ben BartchInjured: Michael Niese, Cade Mays, Seth McLaughlin(?)Probably out: Colby Sorsdal, Melvin Priestly, Gus Hartwig, Devin Cochran<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Now, it\u2019s possible McLaughlin\u2019s 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\u2019s possible he makes a run for the 53-man roster that no one saw coming.<\/p>\n
DT Chris Smith, DT Mekhi Wingo, DT Ben Stille<\/p>\n
All camp, Campbell has raved about the depth along the defensive line, and there\u2019s a very good chance Detroit has to let go some player who will eventually find playing time elsewhere. What\u2019s particularly difficult about this group is that they all give you something a little different.<\/p>\n