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 Atlanta Falcons, the Lions have suggested that they plan on continuing to rest their starters—they rested 28 players against the Chargers—though they are considering playing rookie starters defensive tackle Tyliek Williams and right guard Tate Ratledge to get them some experience.
“Yeah, I’m thinking about that,” Lions coach Dan Campbell told the media on Wednesday. “I would like to get them going this game, but I’m not 100% set on that yet.”
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
- No. 42 is assigned to both RB Jabari Small and CB D.J. Miller
Jared Goff (16)
Hendon Hooker (2)
Kyle Allen (8)
Coach Dan Campbell has already confirmed that Hooker will get the start in Atlanta, with Allen getting the ball in the second half of the game.
“He’s working, he grinds at it, he’s very coachable, he certainly has the ability,” Campbell said of Hooker earlier in the week. “He’s going to get his opportunity. I already said he’s starting this week and we’re going to give him a load here and see what he can do with it.”
Jahmyr Gibbs (0)
David Montgomery (5)
Craig Reynolds (13)
Sione Vaki (33) — injured (hamstring), returned to practice this week
Jabari Small (42)
Jacob Saylors (48)
Injured list:
Kye Robichaux* (25) — (shoulder), reverted to Injured Reserve on Tuesday
Vaki was dealing with a hamstring injury for the Lions’ first preseason game, leading to the Lions needing to lean on Reynolds to handle the majority of the rushing workload. Vaki returned to practice in full this week and told Pride of Detroit on Monday that he was hoping to get a lot of opportunities against the Falcons. However, despite looking like he had put his injury concerns behind him, Vaki was a surprise absence at Wednesday’s practice. It’s possible he missed practice for a non-injury related reason, or he possibly could have re-tweaked his hamstring—we simply don’t know the answers to those questions.
If Vaki can play, look for him to get a lot of run with the starters, allowing Reynolds to get a minimal amount of snaps, if he suits up at all. However, if Vaki can’t go, it’ll likely be the Reynolds show for the majority of the first half before the snaps shift to Small and Saylors.
WR-Y Amon-Ra St. Brown (14)
WR-Z Jameson Williams (1)
WR-X Tim Patrick (12) — left practice early on Wednesday (undisclosed)
Kalif Raymond (11)
Isaac TeSlaa* (18)
Tom Kennedy (85)
Dominic Lovett* (19) — injured (abdominal injury) – expected to miss at least this game
Jackson Meeks* (83)
Jakobie Keeney-James* (80)
Ronnie Bell (10)
Malik Taylor (86)
With Lovett nursing an injury and the Lions expected to rest their returning four from last season, the Lions will have six depth receivers to work with in this game. TeSlaa and Kennedy will likely start again, and if we’re projecting who else would start based on camp reps, that likely means we will see UDFA rookie Meeks.
TE Sam LaPorta (87)
TE Brock Wright (89)
TE Shane Zylstra (84)
TE Kenny Yeboah (88)
TE/H-B Zach Horton* (40)
TE Steven Stilianos (TBD) — signed on Thursday
While the race for the TE3 job has begun to tighten, Zylstra still looks to be the frontrunner. Stilianos was just signed to the roster the day before their game, so it’d be a bit surprising if he saw much time on the field.
Projected offensive line (16 + 1)
LT Taylor Decker (68) — removed from the PUP this week
LG Christian Mahogany (73)
C Graham Glasgow (60)
RG Tate Ratledge* (69) — Could potentially play in this game
RT Penei Sewell (58)
6th offensive lineman: Dan Skipper (70) — injured (ankle), expected to miss the game
Projected starting offensive line for this game
LT Giovanni Manu (58)
LG Netane Muti (52) or Kayode Awosika (74)
C Kingsley Eguakun (65)
RG Kayode Awosika (74) or Tate Ratledge (69)
RT Mason Miller* (63)
OT Jamarco Jones (72) — injured (ankle) – unlikely to play
C/G Trystan Colon (67)
C/G Michael Niese (62)
OT Justin Herron (76) — Signed this past week
G/T Colby Sorsdal (75)
Injured list:
G Miles Frazier* (71) Active/PUP, target return date: September
Campbell said the Lions were undecided on whether projected starting right guard, rookie Tate Ratledge, would play in this game or not, leaving this projection a bit in flux. With the Lions only having nine reserve offensive linemen available, they could play Ratledge in order to get him some game reps, as well as giving them a 10th player, which would allow them to have two complete lines.
If Ratledge plays, look for him to start at right guard, and in turn, Awosika would shift to left guard, thus sending Muti to the second group. That would allow the Lions to shift Sorsdal out to tackle to fill the vacant gap.
If Ratledge doesn’t play, the Lions would only have three offensive tackles dressed and healthy, meaning at least one of those players would have to play extended duties.
Aidan Hutchinson (97)
Marcus Davenport (92)
Al-Quadin Muhammad (96)
Ahmed Hassanein* (61)
Nate Lynn (57)
Mitchell Agude (50)
Isaac Ukwu (45)
Injured list:
Josh Paschal (93) Active/NFI, target return date: September
Muhammad has been slowly getting worked back into practices after returning from injury, and while he may indeed start, he’ll likely be on a snap count, which would allow the remaining reserves to get more opportunities.
NT DJ Reader (98)
3T Tyleik Williams* (91) — Could potentially play in this game
NT Roy Lopez (51)
DL Pat O’Connor (95) —injured (leg) – expected to miss this game
DL Chris Smith (90)
DL Keith Cooper* (64)
DL Myles Adams (66)
NT Brodric Martin (99) — missed two practices this week (undisclosed)
Injured:
DT Alim McNeill (54) Active/PUP, target return date: October
DL Mekhi Wingo (94) Active/PUP, target return date: September
DL Levi Onwuzurike (78) (Reserve/PUP); His season is over
Like on the offensive line, Tyleik Williams’ status for this game is undecided, which could shift the Lions’ approach along the defensive line. It’s also possible that Roy Lopez—who, like Williams, didn’t play last game—may be called upon due to injury.
There is also a third unknown in this group when it comes to Brodric Martin, who missed the two most recent practices for unknown reasons. If he indeed has an injury and can’t play in this game, the Lions will be further shorthanded. But if his absences are non-injury related, he could provide some much-needed depth. It’s worth noting that Martin did appear to travel with the team, per team photos.
Look for Smith, Cooper, and Adams to play multiple positions in this game, regardless of whether Williams, Lopez, or Martin are suited up.
MIKE Jack Campbell (46)
WILL Alex Anzalone (34)
SAM Derrick Barnes (55)
WILL/MIKE Zach Cunningham (52)
WILL Grant Stuard (15)
SAM 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
We should see the linebacker group play out similarly to last week. Cunningham and Stuard will likely start, with Nowaske being deployed at the SAM throughout the game.
CB Terrion Arnold (6) — injured (hamstring), will not play in this game
CB D.J. Reed (4)
NB/CB Amik Robertson (21)
CB/NB/S Rock Ya-Sin (23) — has been cross-training at safety
CB/NB/S Erick Hallett (36)
CB Dicaprio Bootle (17)
CB Nick Whiteside (38)
CB Tyson Russell (35)
CB D.J. Miller (42) — Signed this week
CB Luq Barcoo (40) — Signed this week
Injured list:
CB Khalil Dorsey (30) Active/PUP, target return date: “late camp”
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (9) — Injured Reserve (shoulder) – his season is over
This is yet another position group impacted by injury, leading to a multitude of options on how players will be deployed. Rock Ya-Sin has been the most steady of the group and started the Lions’ first preseason game at outside corner. However, he’s been repping at safety all week for cross-training, and it’s unclear if he’ll be slotted to play safety in this game. If he does get work at safety or in the slot, the Lions may turn to a starting trio of Bootle, Whiteside, and Hallett (or Ya-Sin) at nickel.
S Brian Branch (32)
S Kerby Joseph (31)
S/NB Avonte Maddox (29)
S/NB Morice Norris (26)
S Loren Strickland (24)
S Ian Kennelly* (27)
Injured list:
S Dan Jackson* (28) — Injured Reserve
With Dan Jackson landing on injured reserve, the battle for S4 has heated up. Norris and Strickland look to be ahead of Kennelly right now, but the rookie has flashed and shouldn’t be ruled out of the competition just yet. Things could get a bit complicated if Ya-Sin joins this group for this game, but the Lions could clean things up a bit if Maddox rests or plays at nickel.
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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