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New York Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Lions 53-man roster projection: 3 QBs, Isaac TeSlaa rising and change at DT
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions are two preseason games in, with two more to go. Which young players are standing out? How many quarterbacks will the team keep? How will the Lions balance injury vs. development? Where do things stand with the roster? Let's address some of those questions and more, in our latest roster projection. Advertisement Jared Goff Kyle Allen Hendon Hooker Others: N/A. I'm somewhat reluctantly keeping three quarterbacks, and I can admit that. However, I'm not sure Hooker is safe at this point. If the season started tomorrow, you have to think Allen would be the backup. Preseason games aren't the primary method of evaluation for the coaching staff, but the offense has undoubtedly moved the ball better with Allen through two games than with Hooker. After a hot start to training camp, Hooker hasn't been able to carry over his practice performance into preseason games. At some point, that has to matter. Hooker got the start vs. the Falcons and completed 7-of-10 pass attempts for 38 yards, rushed three times for 27 yards and fumbled twice. He was supposed to finish the first half but was pulled near the end of the second quarter in favor of Allen after his second fumble. Campbell was frank about it. 'You decide you're gonna be a runner, you gotta tuck it away, man,' Campbell said. It feels like the Lions are in a bit of a gray area with Hooker. If Hooker were to be cut, you have to think he'd be claimed quickly by another team. It's hard to say GM Brad Holmes would be OK with cutting a QB he drafted in the third round and knew would need time to develop. And while it's hard to say he's earned a spot on the roster, the Lions tend to give their draft picks every opportunity to succeed or fail. We're keeping him for now, but he's got serious work to do. Jahmyr Gibbs David Montgomery Craig Reynolds Sione Vaki No real changes here. If the Lions need to do some maneuvering, they could cut Reynolds and bring him back immediately — like they did a few years ago — since he's not subject to waivers. But I think they can make it work. Vaki has had a bit of a rough training camp, largely because a hamstring injury has sidelined him for the two preseason games. He spent Monday's practice working off to the side, so he appears to be taking things slow. Doesn't seem like they're going to push him, but it's unfortunate he hasn't been out there much. He looks good when he plays. Advertisement Others: Jacob Saylors, Deon Jackson. Amon-Ra St. Brown Jameson Williams Tim Patrick Isaac TeSlaa Kalif Raymond Others: Dominic Lovett, Tom Kennedy, Jackson Meeks, Ronnie Bell, Jakobie Keeney-James, Malik Taylor. The big change is here Lovett, still out with an abdominal injury, on the outside looking in. I'm probably in the minority here, but missing 10 or so days of practice might as well be a month for a seventh-rounder trying to make this roster. The idea of keeping a late-round developmental slot receiver sounds good until you realize Isaiah Williams was in a similar position last year and was a healthy scratch before eventually getting waived. Lovett has a chance to play his way back into the mix, but I'm factoring in the missed time. Side note: Buy all the TeSlaa stock you can. And I'm not talking electric cars. First NFL TD for @TeslaaIsaac!#DETvsATL | 📺 Lions TV Network — Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 9, 2025 Sam LaPorta Brock Wright Shane Zylstra Others: Zach Horton, Gunnar Oakes, Steven Stilianos. Injured reserve (out for the season): Kenny Yeboah. The Lions signed Yeboah in free agency to compete for the TE3 job, but he had more downs than ups in training camp and was recently placed on season-ending IR. Zylstra remains the heavy favorite for the job as things stand, but don't sleep on Horton. He gets first-team looks at fullback. At the very least, I think he sticks around on the practice squad if he goes unclaimed. LT Taylor Decker LG Christian Mahogany C Graham Glasgow RG Tate Ratledge RT Penei Sewell OT Dan Skipper OT Giovanni Manu G Kayode Awosika OT Jamarco Jones Others: Kingsley Eguakun, Netane Muti, Michael Niese, Mason Miller, Gunner Britton, Keaton Sutherland. Active/PUP: Miles Frazier. Advertisement Injured reserve (out for the season): Colby Sorsdal, Justin Herron. TBD: Trystan Colon. A lot of injuries here. Skipper and Jones were injured last week. Sorsdal played more tackle last week as a result, and the Lions signed Herron as depth to account for those injuries as well. Now both are on season-ending IR. Colon, a reserve interior lineman, is dealing with an elbow injury and will be out 'a while,' per Campbell. They haven't placed him on IR yet, so we'll see what the deal is. But that's another hit to the depth in camp. In the end, I'm keeping the same group of linemen I had in my previous projection. DJ Reader Tyleik Williams Mekhi Wingo Roy Lopez Keith Cooper Others: Pat O'Connor, Chris Smith, Myles Adams, Brodric Martin. Active/PUP: Alim McNeill. The change here is that Cooper is in and O'Connor is out. Because these projections are more in-the-moment snapshots, I think Cooper has flashed enough to warrant a spot. He's been hard to block in practice and produces in games as well — plus he offers inside-out versatility. I had O'Connor in my previous projection, but I think the Lions could afford to keep him around on the practice squad and call him up when they need him. He's not subject to waivers like Cooper would be. Aidan Hutchinson Marcus Davenport Josh Paschal Al-Quadin Muhammad Ahmed Hassanein Nate Lynn Others: Pat O'Connor, Mitchell Agude, Isaac Ukwu. I had Lynn making my previous roster projection and he's done nothing to make me change that opinion. He was active yet again vs. the Falcons after recording a team-high three pressures vs. the Chargers. As a player who was standing out prior to a season-ending injury in 2024, he's picked up where he left off. Between him, Muhammad and Hassanein, I have a bit more faith in Detroit's edge depth than I previously had. They've all done their part to stand out. That said, the Lions haven't ruled out a Za'Darius Smith reunion. We'll see if something materializes there after training camp. Alex Anzalone Jack Campbell Derrick Barnes Zach Cunningham Grant Stuard Trevor Nowaske Others: Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, DaRon Gilbert. Active/PUP: Malcolm Rodriguez. No changes here. The Lions entered the 2024 season with seven linebackers, so there should be room for six if they want to go that route. Campbell, Anzalone, Barnes are your starters, with Cunningham the top reserve. Stuard is an ace special teamer who can step in defensively if needed, and Nowaske is a young player the Lions like. Advertisement Terrion Arnold D.J. Reed Amik Robertson (nickel) Avonte Maddox Khalil Dorsey Others: Erick Hallett II, Dicaprio Bootle, Tyson Russell, Nick Whiteside, D.J. Miller, Luq Barcoo. Injured reserve (out for the season): Ennis Rakestraw Jr. It's been a rough couple of years for Rakestraw. He missed two months with a hamstring injury last year. He's been in and out of practice in Year 2, before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in practice last week. Rakestraw had surgery and was placed on IR. Brutal for a promising player who hasn't been able to stay on the field. As things stand, I've got five corners (nickels included) in this projection. One change here is Maddox vs. Rock Ya-Sin. Ya-Sin can play corner in a pinch, but the Lions have been trying him at safety lately. He played 21 of his 28 defensive snaps at safety, while Maddox — after playing 11 snaps at safety in the Hall of Fame game — logged all 25 defensive snaps at nickel against the Falcons. Dorsey, the team's top gunner, is recovering from a fractured leg but is expected to be ready when the season begins. Brian Branch Kerby Joseph Rock Ya-Sin Ian Kennelly Others: Loren Strickland, Morice Norris. Injured reserve (out for the season): Dan Jackson. Kennelly got the start vs. the Falcons after a strong performance vs. the Chargers and played well again. With Jackson out for the season and Norris in concussion protocol and expected to miss 10-14 days, there's a clear battle between Kennelly and Strickland for the fourth safety job. Strickland seems like a trusted special teamer, but the more you watch Kennelly, the more you like about his game. He's smart, knows how to tackle and has the right makeup for the position. K Jake Bates P Jack Fox LS Hogan Hatten Others: N/A. Nothing to see here. These three are locked in. (Top photo of Keith Cooper: Dale Zanine / Imagn Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions CB D.J. Reed has a message for Madden football rating team
Jahmyr Gibbs took a handoff from Jared Goff in the Detroit Lions' intrasquad scrimmage last week, bounced outside when Derrick Barnes lost contain of the edge and shot down the sideline for what looked like it might be a 52-yard touchdown. And then D.J. Reed entered the picture. Reed chased down Gibbs and shoved him out of bounds around the 30-yard line. Later, when the defense watched film of the play, one of Reed's teammates asked the question that was on everyone's mind: What was your 40-yard dash time? Reed ran a 4.51-second 40 at the NFL combine coming out of Kansas State in 2018. He said he did so on a sprained MCL, without much training, and he hasn't run one since — something he's still paying for in the eyes of fans and the makers of the Madden football video game who underestimate his speed. "Tell Madden," Reed said after practice Sunday in Allen Park. "Yeah, tell Madden to watch these practices. ... They had my speed at a 90, which is abysmal." A few days after chasing down Gibbs and his 4.36-second 40-yard dash, Reed ran stride for stride with receiver Jameson Williams, one of the fastest players in the NFL, on a handful of deep routes Sunday. Reed bottled up Williams in seven-on-seven and team drills, adding to what has been a very good training camp for him so far. WHAT I SAW: Lions observations: Tim Patrick, Gio Manu continue to struggle The Lions signed Reed to a three-year, $48 million contract this offseason and paired him with Terrion Arnold at cornerback in a secondary that new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said is "the strength of not only the defense, but that's one of the deepest spots on the team." Reed has missed practice time this summer with a tight hamstring, but has shined when he has been on the field. "I'm at a point in my career where I'm just grateful to still be playing football and I'm grateful to be playing football at a high level in a good environment — in a great environment," he said. "And the goal is to play for something, the goal is to win the Super Bowl. So for me, I'm just taking it day by day and I just want to get better every day." After playing primarily as a right cornerback with the New York Jets, Reed has played both sides in Detroit. He played as the boundary cornerback in practice Sunday, with Arnold out with a hamstring injury, and has been alternating sides with Arnold all summer. "So when we get in the season, if we want to match with receivers based on body sizes or whatever we can," Reed said. "And we've got practice at it." Reed, who became a new father at the start of training camp — he and his wife have three kids under 3 — and is over his hamstring injury, said playing for the Lions and in Kelvin Sheppard's defense should bring out the best in him this fall. "I definitely haven't showed my best film, so I'm definitely looking forward to putting it all together this year," he said. He said he's not worried about silencing the critics who doubt his speed or chalk his solid play with the Jets up to playing opposite Sauce Gardner (Detroit King) the past three years. He has a curiosity to see how high he can take his level of play. "That's the reason why I really want to play is just to see how far I could take it individually and ultimately to help our team win the Super Bowl," he said. Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@ Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: D.J. Reed has message for Madden football rating team
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
How to Watch Lions vs Falcons: Live Stream NFL Preseason, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Detroit Lions will face the Atlanta Falcons, who will kick off their 2025 preseason at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday. Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons - NFL Preseason Week 1 Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons - NFL Preseason Week 1 Coley Cleary How to Watch Lions vs Falcons Date: Friday, August 8, 2025 Time: 7:00 PM ET Channel: Lions TV Network (Detroit), WAGA-FOX 5 (Atlanta), NBC (WALB-Albany, GA) Stream: Fubo (TRY FOR FREE) The wait is finally over as the NFL preseason is officially here, and these two squads continue their preparation for their opening games of the regular season during this matchup. We likely will not see many of the stars in action, as all of Jared Goff, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs will almost certainly get the night off. However, there are still plenty of storylines to follow. The biggest thing to keep an eye on if you are a Detroit fan is whether or not the offense can move the ball in this game. It is only the preseason, but the 7 points the Lions scored in their opening 27-point loss to the Chargers are a slight cause for concern. Detroit will not have Ben Johnson calling the plays this season, and they also lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn this offseason, so they may need to work out the kinks over the next few weeks This is a great NFL matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action. This is not a nationally broadcast game, but it can still be live-streamed locally with Fubo on the Lions TV Network (Detroit), WAGA-FOX 5 (Atlanta), and NBC (WALB-Albany, GA). It will be aired via tape delay later on NFL Network. Live stream Lions vs Falcons for free with Fubo: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Fox Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 NFC North Player Specials: What Will Year 2 Hold For Caleb Williams?
National Football League 2025 NFC North Player Specials: What Will Year 2 Hold For Caleb Williams? Published Aug. 8, 2025 11:10 a.m. ET share facebook x reddit link There will be a handful of new faces in the NFC North in 2025. How are the star players from each NFC North squad predicted to perform this season? Let's check out a few player specials at DraftKings Sportsbook, as well as what to know about each player prop. BEARS Colston Loveland to break the NFL regular-season rookie tight end receiving yards record (1,195+): +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total) DJ Moore to score 10+ receiving TDs in the regular season: +300 (bet $10 to win $40 total) Caleb Williams to break the NFL regular-season passing yards record (5,478+): +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,000 total) What to know: Loveland, the Bears' first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, enters the league after posting 582 receiving yards last year at Michigan and 649 the season before. Moore is coming off a six-touchdown season and is still looking to hit the 10-TD mark for the first time in his career. His personal best is eight, set in 2023. Williams enters Year 2 after throwing for 3,541 yards as a rookie in Chicago. LIONS Amon-Ra St. Brown to score 15+ receiving TDs in the regular season: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total) Jared Goff to break the NFL regular-season passing yards record (5,478+): +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total) What to know: St. Brown led the Lions with 12 receiving touchdowns in 2024, his second straight double-digit TD season. Jared Goff is coming off a 4,629-yard campaign — his third straight season with over 4,000 passing yards — and was just 59 yards shy of his career high (4,688 in 2018 with the Rams). Chargers win AFC West, Packers make NFC Wild Card over Bears in Colin's latest NFL predictions ADVERTISEMENT PACKERS Matthew Golden to score 10+ receiving TDs in the regular season: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total) Josh Jacobs to score 15+ rushing TDs and have 1,500+ rushing yards in the regular season: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) Jayden Reed to score 10+ receiving TDs and have 1,000+ receiving yards in the regular season: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total) What to know: The first-round rookie Golden arrives from Texas after recording nine TDs in his lone season with the Longhorns. Jacobs is back after racking up 15 rushing TDs in 2024, including a streak of eight straight games with a score in the regular season. Reed, entering Year 3, posted eight touchdowns as a rookie and six last season. VIKINGS Justin Jefferson to score 15+ receiving TDs and have 1,500+ receiving yards in the regular season: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total) Aaron Jones to score 10+ rushing TDs and have 1,000+ rushing yards in the regular season: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total) What to know: In the three seasons Jefferson has played all 17 games (2021, 2022 and 2024), he's eclipsed 1,500 receiving yards each time and has scored at least eight touchdowns. He finished with 1,533 yards and 10 scores last year. Jones, now in Minnesota after seven seasons with the Packers, has had four 1,000-yard rushing seasons (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024), but hasn't hit double-digit rushing TDs since 2019, when he had 16. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! share
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
2025 NFL Preseason (08/08/25): Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons, how to watch, key players, and more
Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball during the second quarter against the AFC (Image via Getty Images) The 2025 NFL preseason is really starting to pick up, and one of the most thrilling games on the calendar is the Detroit Lions versus the Atlanta Falcons. This matchup is scheduled for Friday, August 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET, and it will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Even though it's only a preseason game, it's important for both teams as they adjust their rosters, try out new strategies, and prepare for the upcoming regular season. How to Watch the Game Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons Whether you're a loyal Detroit Lions supporter or a Atlanta Falcons fan, or just an NFL lover from anywhere, here's how you can get in on the action: Game Time: 7 p.m. ET Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA TV Broadcast: FOX 5 (Atlanta region); check with your local FOX affiliate or the NFL's preseason broadcast schedule for options in different areas Detroit market: Head over to the Detroit Lions' official site or listen to local stations like WJR 760 AM for coverage Atlanta market: Catch 92.9 The Game or swing by the Atlanta Falcons' official website for live commentary Streaming Options: Watch live on NFL+ or fuboTV Key Players to Watch: Detroit Lions Jared Goff: In 2024, Jared Goff really shined, completing 72.4% of his passes for over 4,629 yards and racking up 37 touchdowns. Still, that playoff collapse has fans and analysts watching him closely. He might not see much action in this game, but every play he makes will be under the spotlight. Atlanta's Preseason Opener (And MorganMan's Starter Plea) (DETvATL P1) Amon-Ra St. Brown: St. Brown had an impressive season last year, with 115 receptions totaling 1,263 yards. He's the go-to guy for Jared Goff, and just a few plays could show us how Detroit's passing game is evolving. Aidan Hutchinson: An injury may have cut his 2024 season short, but before that, Hutchinson was a dominant force, some even thought he could be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. Now that he's back, his pass-rushing talent could pose challenges for Atlanta's second-stringers. Key Players to Watch: Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson: In 2024, Bijan Robinson had 1456 rushing yards each game, and his quickness and awareness really set him apart. He's expected to get some playtime to evaluate the Falcons' run-focused strategy. Tyler Allgeier: Last season, Allgeier contributed with three rushing touchdowns. As Atlanta relies on its ground attack, he's a name worth watching. James Pearce Jr.: According to Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter, this rookie first-round pick is catching attention in camp. His debut could indicate if he's set to strengthen Atlanta's defense. Winning Odds: Detroit Lions favored by 3.5 points despite recent loss The betting lines indicate that the Lions have a slight advantage. They're favored by 3.5 points on the road, with the over/under at 32.5 points, according to DraftKings. This points to a potentially close and low-scoring game. But don't count out the Falcons, the Lions just suffered a 34-7 defeat against the Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game, where their offense only put up seven points and committed three turnovers. Atlanta's backups might have the advantage with their fresh legs and the backing of the home crowd. Also Read: 2025 NFL Preseason (08/08/25): Carolina Panthers vs Cleveland Browns, how to watch, key players, and more Teams utilize these games to test their rookies, check on backups, and foster chemistry before the real competition kicks in. The Detroit Lions finished with a franchise-best 15-2 record but fell short in the playoffs against the Washington Commanders. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
