Ahead of every Detroit Lions game in 2025, we will provide readers with an updated depth chart of the team’s roster based on what we are seeing at practices.
For this preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, the Lions have suggested that they plan on continuing to rest their starters—they rested 28 players against the Chargers and another 31 against the Falcons—especially with two joint practices earlier this week. So with that in mind, expect at least the top third of the roster to be on the sidelines for this matchup.
To help out your game viewing experience, here are a few keys to keep in mind when exploring this depth chart:
- Player’s numbers are listed (in parentheses)
- Projected starters—who are not expected to play—are bolded
- Injured players are italicized
- An asterisk* identifies rookies
- No. 52 is assigned to both OL Netane Muti and LB Zach Cunningham
Quarterbacks (3)
Jared Goff (16)
Kyle Allen (8)
Hendon Hooker (2)
After two preseason duds, Hooker needs to get on track in a bad way in this game. Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait his turn as Allen is not only playing better (see Lions coach Dan Campbell’s comments below), but it’s his turn to start in the rotation.
“I thought Kyle (Allen) played really well, man, I was fired up,” Campbell said of Allen’s performance against the Falcons. “That was outstanding. […] He gets out there and immediately gives us a boost. Runs the offense, makes two huge throws in the first drive he’s in there. Man, I thought he was on point with the checks. The kills, motion landmarks, the whole thing. He operated the offense at a high level and made big-time throws, so I was fired up.”
Running back (6)
Jahmyr Gibbs (0)
David Montgomery (5)
Craig Reynolds (13)
Sione Vaki (33) — returned to practice this week (hamstring)
Jacob Saylors (48)
Deon Jackson (36) — Signed this week
Injured list:
Kye Robichaux* (25) — (IR – shoulder)
Reynolds has started each of the Lions’ two preseason games, but he could get a rest this week if Vaki is deemed healthy enough to play—he’s missed both games with a hamstring injury. Vaki returned to practice this week, and Campbell said the plan was to see what he could handle and then keep giving him more until he was full go. As long as he suffered no setbacks, Vaki could allow Reynolds to get a break this week, or at a minimum, reduce his number of snaps.
Saylors and Jackson figure to get work in the second half, though it’s possible Saylors gets some run with the second team, as he’s impressed Campbell with his ability to get up to speed with the offense quickly and not make mistakes.
“I thought what Saylors did the other day was pretty headsy and he’s kind of a crafty back and there’s something to be said about that,” Campbell said on Thursday. “Smart guy, understands ball, really got a crash course on what we were doing and really didn’t have any MAs (missed assignments), which is pretty impressive.”
Wide receiver (11)
WR-Y Amon-Ra St. Brown (14)
WR-Z Jameson Williams (1)
WR-X Tim Patrick (12) — injured (undisclosed)
Kalif Raymond (11)
Isaac TeSlaa* (18)
Jackson Meeks* (83)
Tom Kennedy (85) — returned to practice on Thursday (undisclosed)
Dominic Lovett* (19) — returned to practice on Thursday (abdominal injury)
Ronnie Bell (10)
Jakobie Keeney-James* (80)
Malik Taylor (86) — injured (undisclosed)
TeSlaa, Kennedy, and Lovett started against the Chargers, then Meeks joined the starters for the Falcons game with Lovett sitting out due to an abdominal injury. Lovett returned for the final practice of this week, as did Kennedy, who missed two practices, but it’s unclear if either is ready to jump back in with the starting group just yet. Bell has also made his case to get the start against the Dolphins with his recent play, as he has shown the ability to step into multiple situations and has proven to be productive.
Bottom line, beyond TeSlaa, the other starting spots could be up for grabs.
Tight end (6)
TE Sam LaPorta (87) — injured (undisclosed)
TE Brock Wright (89)
TE Shane Zylstra (84)
TE/H-B Zach Horton* (40)
TE Steven Stilianos (43) — Signed this week
TE Gunnar Oakes (41) — Signed this week
Injured list:
TE Kenny Yeboah (88) — Injured Reserve
Zylstra and Horton appear to be in a two tight end race for the TE3 role, now that Yeboah has been placed on injured reserve. Newcomers Stilianos and Oakes will need to impress to break into the running and are more likely trying to do enough to warrant a spot on the practice squad.
Projected offensive line (16 + 1)
LT Taylor Decker (68)
LG Christian Mahogany (73)
C Graham Glasgow (60)
RG Tate Ratledge* (69)
RT Penei Sewell (58)
Projected starting offensive line for this game
LT Dan Skipper (70)
LG Netane Muti (52)
C Kingsley Eguakun (65)
RG Kayode Awosika (74)
RT Jamarco Jones (72)
Projected reserves
C/G Trystan Colon (67) — injured (elbow)
RT Gunner Britton (78) — Signed this week
C/G Michael Niese (62)
OT/G Mason Miller* (63)
IOL/T Zack Johnson (77) — Signed on Thursday
Injured list:
G Miles Frazier* (71) — Active/PUP, target return date: September
G/T Colby Sorsdal (75) — Injured Reserve
OT Justin Herron (76) — Injured Reserve
G/C Keaton Sutherland (74) — Signed this week — Injured Reserve
Injuries Colon and other depth players have complicated things along the offensive line. If the Lions want to rest their starters and injured players, they’ll be left with just nine offensive linemen, meaning one of their players may have to pull double duty. However, if the Lions elect to play rookie Tate Ratledge again this week, they could roll two lines. But it’s hard to say if the Lions would do that, considering Campbell already believes Ratledge is “playing like a starting NFL guard.”
Defensive end (7 + 1)
Aidan Hutchinson (97)
Marcus Davenport (92)
Al-Quadin Muhammad (96)
Nate Lynn (57)
Ahmed Hassanein* (61) — avoided injury scare (lower leg)
Isaac Ukwu (45)
Mitchell Agude (50)
Injured list:
Josh Paschal (93) Active/NFI, target return date: September
Muhammad looks like he’s all but solidified a spot on the 53-man roster, especially after Campbell praised his play in camp, noting that “he brings some security to us.” Hassanein is also expected to make the active roster, even if he’s repping behind Nate Lynn right now. Lynn has simply done more than enough to earn a spot amongst the top group and is pushing hard for a spot on the regular season roster. Campbell noted that Lynn was still in a strong competition with Ukwu and Agude, and praised all three in press conferences this week.
Defensive tackle (8 + 2)
NT DJ Reader (98)
3T Tyleik Williams* (91)
NT Roy Lopez (51)
DL Pat O’Connor (95) — returned to practice on Thursday (leg)
DL Chris Smith (90)
DL Keith Cooper* (64)
DL Myles Adams (66)
NT Brodric Martin (99)
Injured:
DT Alim McNeill (54) Active/PUP, target return date: October
DL Mekhi Wingo (94) Active/PUP, target return date: September
Lopez isn’t technically a starter, but he’s yet to play in the preseason, and O’Connor just returned to practice on Thursday, so it’s fair to wonder if he gets the veteran rest treatment as well. However, if the Lions elect not to play Williams this week—which seems likely—they may ask O’Connor to try and give it a go. At the same time, it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s Chris Smith and Keith Cooper getting the starts this week.
Linebacker (9 + 1)
MIKE Jack Campbell (46)
WILL Alex Anzalone (34)
SAM Derrick Barnes (55)
WILL/MIKE Zach Cunningham (52)
WILL Grant Stuard (15)
SAM/MIKE Trevor Nowaske (53)
MIKE Anthony Pittman (41)
WILL Ezekiel Turner (47)
MIKE/WILL DaRon Gilbert (43)
Injured:
WILL Malcolm Rodriguez (44) Active/PUP, target return date: October
The Lions’ linebackers should deploy similarly to how they have in previous weeks. Cunningham, Stuard, and Nowaske should get starts at their primary positions, with Nowaske getting some time at the MIKE after Cunningham exits. Pittman, Turner, and Gilbert will be hoping for more playing time this week after their time was cut short last game.
Cornerback (9 + 1)
CB Terrion Arnold (6) — returned to practice this week (hamstring)
CB D.J. Reed (4)
NB/CB Amik Robertson (21)
CB/NB/S Erick Hallett (36)
CB Nick Whiteside (38)
CB Tyson Russell (35)
CB D.J. Miller (42) — Signed last week
CB Luq Barcoo (40) — Signed last week
CB Allan George (25) — Signed on Thursday
Injured list:
CB Khalil Dorsey (30) Active/PUP, target return date: “late camp”
CB Dicaprio Bootle (17) — Injured Reserve (lower leg)
With Bootle landing on injured reserve, look for Whiteside to vault into the starting lineup for this game. Depending on roster construction, the Lions may be looking to keep one of the six reserves expected to play against the Dolphins, and Whiteside could very well be the leading candidate for the role. Hallett is also firmly in that competition, and if he continues his pattern of positional versatility, look for him to play on the outside early in the game, then shift into the slot later on. Miller, Barcoo, and George have yet to play in the preseason for the Lions, so they’ll be looking to stand out for coaches.
Safety (7)
S Brian Branch (32)
S Kerby Joseph (31)
CB/S/NB Rock Ya-Sin (23) — has been cross-training at safety and CB
S/NB Avonte Maddox (29)
S/NB Morice Norris (26) — injured (concussion) — expected to miss remainder of preseason
S Loren Strickland (24)
S Ian Kennelly* (27)
I’ve shifted Ya-Sin to the safeties group this week, as he continues to take reps there to gain experience. I don’t believe this will be a permanent positional switch, but he’s playing well enough that he is making himself a coveted player. With Norris still in concussion protocol, Maddox could shift out of the slot and back into a pure safety role in this game. However, if the Lions elect to continue to use him as a slot option, a rotation of Strickland and Kennelly could be in order.
Specialists (3)
P Jack Fox (3)
K Jake Bates (39)
LS Hogan Hatten (49)
With no in-camp competition, all three will have to play in the pre-season.
At a glance, look at the Lions’ projected depth chart for this game:
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