After a couple of joint practices in Allen Park, the Detroit Lions rounded out their second week of the preseason by hosting the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field. In front of what was a raucous crowd for an exhibition game, the Lions fell short on the scoreboard, losing by a final score of 24-17.
Let’s get into some of the takeaways from the game.
Lions RB coach Tashard Choice is elevating his room
This is in no way a slight at now wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery. That man is a fantastic coach in his own right, and I was happy when I first heard he would be taking over after Antwaan Randle El left for Chicago. With that said, I really believe Choice is a special running backs coach, on top of appearing to be a good human being.
We know how dominant the Lions top two backs are with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery toting the rock, but I came away really impressed with the rest of the room’s performance against Miami, too. Unsurprisingly, running back Craig Reynolds looked like a pro when he got carries, even though his final stat line of six carries for 13 yards is a bit misleading due to penalties wiping out a few positive runs for the veteran. Second-year running back Sione Vaki was also worked in with Reynolds, showing off plenty of elusiveness and power, including when he ran through a defender’s face during the two-minute drill before the end of the first half. Vaki finished his day with six carries for 30 yards.
And lastly, reserve running back Jacob Saylors had some tough nosed carries where he was able to move the pile and move the chains. Lions coach Dan Campbell had previously mentioned how Choice was someone he had kept his eye on for sometime, and we have seen why since Choice arrived in town.
Rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa is for real
When the Lions first drafted TeSlaa in the 2025 NFL Draft, my intial expectations for the Michigan-native were not especially high. After all, he has not been playing wide receiver for that long, and the offense being ran in Detroit is a far cry from the offense he was in during his time at Arkansas. I was hoping he could serve as depth at the X-receiver position, and be a core player for special teams coordinator Dave Fipp.
Now near the halfway point of training camp, I may have to reassess how I am viewing TeSlaa in 2025. He ran a myriad of different routes against the Dolphins, looking crisp in and out of his breaks, creating separation from Dolphins defensive backs. He finished the day with four catches on five targets for 41 yards, and his second touchdown of the preseason. Out of the bunch, TeSlaa ran a double move that quarterback Kyle Allen put in the perfect place, allowing for the rookie to make a terrific back-shoulder catch where he utilized his big frame to shield the defender away from the ball.
At this point, I would like to see what TeSlaa looks like when Lions’ offensive coordinator John Morton goes with three wide receivers. I still maintain that veteran receiver Tim Patrick will get his fair share of the snap load, I think you have to find ways to get TeSlaa on the field in the regular season. Him at the X in 11-personnel would be yet another way that the Lions’ offense stresses opposing defenses.
Need to clean up penalties
In true preseason fashion, this officiating crew seemed to be especially flag-happy. There were glimpses of the Lions putting things together offensively in the first half, but too often were positive plays wiped out by penalties or other mental errors. Both rookie wide receivers Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett had drops, with each ending an offensive series for Detroit. In the second half, reserve tackle Giovanni Manu was called for a ticky-tack holding call on a Hendon Hooker score, forcing the Lions to kick a 33-yard field goal.
On the defensive side of the ball, a sack of Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson was negated by a hands to the face penalty by linebacker Grant Stuard. A few plays later, Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin lined up offsides and gave Miami a new set of downs. Altogether, Detroit racked up seven penalties in the first half alone.
It’s preseason football, so naturally a lot of young players are getting their first taste of professional football. Still, I am sure if you were to ask Dan Campbell, he would like to see some cleaner football from his reserves.
Cornerback Nick Whiteside could push for a roster spot
Whiteside continues to look like someone who belongs on an NFL roster, turning in another strong performance against the Dolphins. As usual, he was a physical presence against the run, and was sticky in coverage when Miami targeted him in the passing game, coming away with a pretty pass breakup in the first defensive series of the second half.
From Saginaw State to Ford Field—these are the type of stories that can make the preseason fun to follow. If he can continue to make plays and take strides in his development, Whiteside could make it tough on the Lions’ brass when it comes to cutdown time.
Jack Fox is still him
I am not one to write about specialists if I am not being forced to, but it was good to see Lions All-Pro punter Jack Fox in midseason form. When the Lions offense sputtered, Fox was there to flip the field for defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s defense. On seven punts, Fox averaged 42.7 yards, including longs of 60 and 63-yards.
While I will never be overly excited about an offensive possession ending in a punt, it is nice to know the Lions have one of the best in the game on their side.
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