Detroit Lions players fighting for inclusion on the initial 53-man roster and those on the roster looking for bigger playing roles have one last opportunity this afternoon to make a good impression in today's preseason finale vs. Houston. Tuesday is the deadline to trim the roster from 90 to an initial 53.
Here are five things I'll be looking out for in today's matchup with the Texans:
1. HENDON HOOKER
Third-year quarterback Hendon Hooker has been battling Kyle Allen to be Detroit's backup QB when the regular season starts.
Allen has gotten the better of the competition in both of Detroit's last two preseason games and really throughout training camp practices. Lions head coach Dan Campbell said after last week's preseason loss to Miami that he trusts Allen more at this point after a month of watching the competition develop.
Campbell said they might start Hooker in the preseason finale and get him reps with a lot of the second-team personnel suited up on offense.
One of the interesting question marks when it comes to the initial 53-man roster is whether the Lions will keep two quarterbacks or three. They've got some tough decisions ahead at wide receiver and edge rusher. Can they afford to keep three quarterbacks on the roster? This is a big game for Hooker to make that case.
2. LAST RECEIVER SPOT(S)
The top three at wide receiver is pretty set with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Kalif Raymond. Tim Patrick is a proven commodity in this league and has been coming on in practice after a self-admitted slow start to camp. Rookie Isaac TeSlaa has been terrific in camp and the preseason and there's a possibility he pushes for playing time early in the regular season.
Rookies Jackson Meeks and Dominic Lovett have both shown playmaking ability throughout camp and the preseason. Meeks is an undrafted free agent who's caught 11 passes in the preseason for 176 yards (16.0 avg.) with two touchdowns. Lovett has seven catches for 45 yards and also has a 19-yard punt return, a 22-yard kickoff return and a muffed punt recovery.
Special teams could play a big factor in the final spot or spots at the receiver position. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp talked this week about the roster advantages of having contributors from the receiver room on teams. How much special teams do Meeks and Lovett play today and with what teams? A big play on teams could swing the decision either way.
3. SECONDARY DEPTH
One thing that's really stood out in camp and the preseason is the versatility in Detroit's secondary. We know what players like Brian Branch and Amik Robertson bring to the table in terms of their versatility with Branch playing both safety and nickel corner and Robertson being able to play both inside and outside corner.
Detroit's depth in the secondary is made up of veterans Rock Ya-Sin, Avonte Maddox, and Erick Hallett II and all three have shown the ability to play the safety position and both cornerback spots. That gives GM Brad Holmes and Campbell a ton of flexibility when it comes to creating the roster, and it gives defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard flexibility with creating packages and managing the eventuality of injuries. Can those depth players continue to be playmakers at multiple positions today?
View photos from Day 17 of Detroit Lions training camp on Thursday August 21, 2025
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18), Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks (83) celebrates during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Zach Horton (40) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ian Kennelly (27) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Netane Muti (52) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Nate Lynn (57) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Zach Horton (40) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 21, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
4. O-LINE NUMBERS
We know who the starters are going to be with Taylor Decker (left tackle), Tate Ratledge (right guard), Graham Glasgow (center), Christian Mahogany (left guard) and Penei Sewell (right tackle), but what does the depth look like behind those five?
There's a couple veterans like Kayode Awosika and Dan Skipper where you can feel pretty good about what they bring to the table with their experience.
The fourth tackle spot will be interesting. Giovanni Manu has the edge based off his third-round draft status last year, but has he made the proper leaps in development where if the Lions had to play him in the regular season, they'd feel good about that? He's a player to watch closely today. Veteran Jamarcus Jones is also in the mix at tackle.
Kingsley Eguakun has had a nice camp and has been taking second-team reps at center recently. The Lions like his development after he spent last season on the practice squad.
It will be interesting to see what the second-team offensive line looks like today because that's who could make up the Lions' depth in the regular season.
5. EDGE RUSHERS
Veterans Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport have looked great all camp on the edge of Detroit's defensive line, and the Lions are expecting a lot from that duo this season. Veteran Josh Paschal's return from injury is going to be a little later than the Lions first thought so that's likely another roster spot for an internal or external candidate on the edge to begin the season. The recent injury to rookie Ahmed Hassanein could cost him significant time and also change things a little bit on the edge to start the season.
Al-Quadin Muhammad has had a good camp and preseason and he's a known commodity for this coaching staff. Nate Lynn has had a good camp and so has Isaac Ukwu. Mitchell Agude has done some nice things too.
Have they done enough to warrant inclusion on the 53? Could the Lions look to bolster the edge outside the organization? It's a big afternoon for a lot of these edge players on the bubble to make one more lasting impression.
