The longest preseason in a while is now over for the Detroit Lions. Ever since the NFL cut down to three preseason games in 2021, the preseason has felt quick, but not this season. The Lions played in four preseason games and with that, training camp started sooner in July. But now a month later, it’s onto the regular season.
That doesn’t mean this game can be ignored, though. All 32 teams must cut their rosters down to 53 players by Tuesday, August 26th. That makes 37 players who will have to find new homes, whether that is being on the practice squad for the Lions, or on a different team around the league, this game mattered to them. Not all of the roster spots for Detroit were locked in heading into the matchup Saturday afternoon, as there are question marks around the offense and defense.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good day for the Lions, losing to the Texans 26-7. Who stood out to make the roster, and who might end up missing the cut on Tuesday?
Heading into this game, quarterback Kyle Allen had a firm lead for the backup job ahead of Hendon Hooker. Allen did well in the quarter he played, going five-for-five for 66 yards and a beautiful touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.
Despite the limited play time—likely due to his lead for the QB2 job—Allen impressed enough in my opinion to lock up the backup quarterback job. He made smart decisions with his throws, nothing was too risky, and the touchdown was the dagger in the competition.
Every week TeSlaa does something spectacular it seems, and with each performance it feels like TeSlaa isn’t an “if” he’ll become a starter this season, but more of a “when?” He had only two catches for 41 yards and a touchdown today, but his preseason stats have been impressive overall. He finished the preseason with 10 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns. I questioned the TeSlaa pick, not for his talents, but I wanted the Lions to take a different position at the point, but it’s nice to be proven wrong here as TeSlaa looks to be a solid contributor in this offense so soon.
The secondary for the Lions struggled on Saturday afternoon, allowing 249 yards, two touchdowns, and a 78 percent completion percentage. One player that stood out negatively was defensive back Erick Hallett. He struggled not only in coverage, but also in run defense, as he was stood up and at bowled over by the Texans offense at one point for a touchdown. Hallet is in a battle with safeties Ian Kennelly and Loren Strickland for the safety-four job. With this performance, I think Hallet took a step back and might be on the outside of the team’s 53-man roster now.
The Lions need some depth help on the defensive line with multiple players out to start the year. Outside of the starters there are questions all along the defensive line. While some players like defensive tackle Roy Lopez and EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad most likely are making this roster, the depth alongside them is a mystery.
Against the Texans on Saturday afternoon, the defensive line struggled to pressure both Texans quarterbacks, generating just one sack by Muhammad. EDGE Nate Lynn, who has stood out this preseason, generated pressure on the sack too, but only had a tackle and a pass deflection. If anything stood out from this performance, it’s that the Lions might need to give EDGE Za’Darius Smith a phone call within the next week.
Hooker had his back up against the wall entering Saturday afternoon, and his performance was the nail in the coffin for his chances of making the roster. Hooker finished the game going six-for-11 for 70 yards, an interception, and a carry for 25 yards. Hooker had some flashes of success with his 25-yard run and two passes to wide receiver Ronnie Bell—one wiped away by a penalty. The rest of his performance wasn’t impressive at all.
He overthrew multiple passes, one of them getting intercepted, and he looked for the checkdown multiple times, which has me questioning if he just goes to his checkdown if his first read isn’t open, or if he actually checked everyone. He also held onto the ball too long at times, getting sacked twice, as he should have used his legs more to escape the pocket instead of staying inside to get hit.
Overall, Hooker didn’t impress me, and with him needing his best game ever this week, he came up empty. His performance was evidence as to why the Lions should only carry two quarterbacks.
Dominic Lovett and Jackson Meeks
One of the biggest question marks of the roster heading into the game was whether the Lions would carry seven or six wide receivers. The battle was between Dominic Lovett and Jackson Meeks, and neither player stood out today. Not only did neither player end up with a catch, but their special teams play wasn’t noteworthy either. This would have been a great game for one of them to stand out to make the coaches decision easier, but with both not having anything going on, that makes the decision only harder.
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