Recap: The Detroit Lions wrapped up the preseason with a 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans at Ford Field Saturday afternoon.
Rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa scored Detroit's only points of the contest with a 33-yard touchdown reception on a beautifully thrown football by quarterback Kyle Allen down the right sideline on Detroit's second offensive series. It was the third straight preseason game in which TeSlaa has recorded a touchdown reception.
Houston got touchdowns from running back Woody Marks, wide receiver Quintez Cephus and wide receiver Daniel Jackson along with two Ka'imi Fairbairn field goals (53, 48).
Now the focus for general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell is trimming the roster down to an initial 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday and then beginning to create their 16-man practice squad on Wednesday.
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. Houston Texans Preseason Week 3 game at Ford Field on Saturday, August 23 in Detroit.
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen (8) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James (80) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen (8) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Steven Stilianos (43) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ian Kennelly (27) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
The Detroit Lions huddle before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) returns a kick during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) returns a kick during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (41) and Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) hurdles over a defender during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) catches a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) celebrate after a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) kicks an extra point during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Isaac Ukwu (45) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Nate Lynn (57) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Nate Lynn (57) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Myles Adams (66) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Graham Mertz (18) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) celebrates after a sack during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) celebrates after a sack during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (24) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Deon Jackson (36) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (43) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Gunner Britton (78) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Zack Johnson (77), Detroit Lions guard Netane Muti (52), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), and Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
QB comparison: Allen got the start at quarterback for the Lions and played the first two series. He ended his afternoon 5-for-5 passing for 66 yards and a touchdown with a 158.3 rating. Allen was terrific all training camp and finished the preseason 35-for-44 passing for 401 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions for a 123.6 passer rating.
Hendon Hooker played all but the first two series Saturday and finished the game completing six of his 11 pass attempts for 70 yards with no touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 36.2. He added one rush for 25 yards.
Big performances: In limited work Saturday that consisted of just two series, TeSlaa made the most of it.
TeSlaa had a nice sliding catch on a third-down play early in the game and put the Lions on the board with a 33-yard touchdown that showed off his 4.4 speed getting a step on a defender down the right sideline.
TeSlaa has a big frame (6-4, 214), soft hands and good speed. He should be a contributor on offense and special teams in the regular season.
Linebacker Trevor Nowaske (nine tackles) and safety Loren Strickland (nine tackles and one tackle for loss) had really nice performances for Detroit's defense.
Key stat: Detroit was out-gained on offense 399 yards to 186 and lost the time of possession battle 40:15 to 19:45.
Injury report: Linebacker Ezekiel Turner left the game in the third quarter with a right leg injury and did not return.
Up next: at Green Bay, Sun., Sept. 7, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
