Hoje é o dia que todo general manager e treinador da NFL odeia. É o dia de reduzir o elenco e o Detroit já teve os seus cortes para formar o elenco inicial da temporada.
"Hoje é um dia difícil", disse o treinador principal do Detroit Lions Dan Campbell. "Agradeço ao trabalho duro que todos esses caras colocaram nesse processo.
"É algo que precisa ser feito e você quer fazer isso da maneira mais respeitosa possível e não quer mentir para o jogador. Você só manda a real e é difícil. Mas é a coisa certa a se fazer."
É importante mencionar que esse é o elenco inicial porque outras movimentações podem ser feitas ao longo da semana, à medida que jogadores se tornam disponíveis ao redor da liga.
Detroit pode preparar o seu elenco de 16 jogadores de practice squad, o time de treinamento, a partir de quarta-feira.
E como lembrete, jogadores que começaram o training camp na lista de "lesão fora do futebol americano" ou "fisicamente indisponíveis de performar" permanecerão nessa lista, sem contar para o limite de 53 jogadores do elenco.
A liga também permite dois jogadores machucados a serem colocados na lista de contundidos como uma designação de retorno. Esses dois jogadores podem perder pelo menos os primeiros quatros jogos da temporada, mas sem contar para o número final de 53.
A seguir, a minha análise para o elenco inicial:
(Observação: O Lions ainda tem 3 vagas disponíveis no elenco)
QUARTERBACK (2)
No elenco: Jared Goff e Kyle Allen
Cortado: Hendon Hooker
Twentyman: Ficou claro após a terceira partida de pré-temporada que Allen tinha a vantagem contra Hooker na briga pela posição de quarterback reserva. Goff teve um ótimo training camp e parece voltar de onde ele terminou na temporada passada, onde ele foi o segundo em jardas lançadas (4.629), segundo em porcentual de passes completos (72,4%), segundo em rating (111,8) e quarto em touchdowns passados (37). Allen oferece experiência com 19 jogos como titular na NFL.
RUNNING BACK (4)
No elenco: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Cortados: Jacob Saylors, Deon Jackson
Twentyman: Algo bem direto por aqui, apesar de que Saylors mostrou que poderia ser um candidato a estar de volta para o practice squad. Ele corre com força e o Lions gosta das suas habilidades. Gibbs e Montgomery formam uma das melhores duplas de corredores da liga e o Lions não hesitaria em colocar Reynolds em campo. O quanto mais podemos ver de Vaki no ataque? Essa é a grande pergunta para esse grupo.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
No elenco: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Tim Patrick, Isaac TeSlaa, Dominic Lovett
Cortados: Jackson Meeks, Ronnie Bell, Tom Kennedy, Jakobie Keeney-James, Malik Taylor
Twentyman: TeSlaa tem a chance de ter uma vaga no ataque e no time de especialistas logo de cara. Ele é mais completo do que a maioria de jogadores geralmente selecionados no meio do draft. Lovett foi uma escolha de 7ª rodada do Lions esse ano. Ele teve um bom training camp e pode ajudar a equipe pelo time de especialistas. Meeks foi um jogador não-draftado e que teve uma ótima pré-temporada com 11 recepções para 176 jardas e dois touchdowns. Se ele não for escolhido no waivers, ele pode ser um candidato para o practice squad.
TIGHT END (3)
No elenco: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra
Cortado: Zach Horton, Gunnar Oaks, Steven Stilianos
Machucado: Kenny Yeboah
Twentyman: É um grupo versátil com LaPorta, Wright e Zylstra que permite o novo coordenador ofensivo, John Morton, a habilidade de usar qualquer tipo de formação. Zylstra teve um ótimo training camp e mostrou melhoras como bloqueador e muito por isso ele conquistou a terceira vaga. LaPorta perdeu tempo de treinos com uma lesão, mas está saudável e pronto para o início da temporada. Quando esteve em campo, foi um dos melhores jogadores nos treinos.
LINHA OFENSIVA (9)
No elenco: Taylor Decker, Christian Mahogany, Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge, Penei Sewell, Kayode Awosika, Giovanni Manu, Jamarco Jones, Kingsley Eguakun
Cortados: Dan Skipper, Trystan Colon, Netane Muti, Gunner Britton, Mason Miller, Michael Niese, Zack Johnson
Machucados: Colby Sorsdal, Justin Herron
PUP (fisicamente indisponíveis de performar)*:* Miles Frazier
Twentyman: Existem algumas discussões difíceis por aqui. Jones jogou 38 jogos na carreira na NFL, sendo sete como titular e venceu Skipper na disputa pela posição de tackle reserva. Eguakun ganhou uma vaga com a sua habilidade de jogar nas três posições do interior da linha. Manu ainda é um jogador com potencial e que o time quer continuar desenvolvendo. Detroit sempre teve uma das melhores linhas ofensivas da NFL durante o comando de Dan Campbell, mas agora eles terão três novos titulares no interior com Ratledge, Glasgow e Mahogany. Será que essa versão de 2025 consegue ser tão dominante quanto as versões anteriores a que estávamos acostumados?
LINHA DEFENSIVA (9)
No elenco: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, Pat O'Connor, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mekhi Wingo, Chris Smith
Cortados: Nate Lynn, Myles Adams, Brodric Martin, Keith Cooper Jr., Mitchell Agude, Issac Ukwu
Cortado com uma lesão: Ahmed Hassanein
PUP (fisicamente indisponíveis de performar): Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike
Lesão fora do futebol americano: Josh Paschal
Twentyman: Cooper foi uma das melhores histórias desse training camp começando como um teste, até conseguir repetições no time titular. Ele pode ser um candidato a conseguir uma vaga no practice squad. Lynn foi provavelmente uma decisão difícil de fazer. Ele também é um candidato para o practice squad. Hutchinson e Davenport estiveram muito bem durante o camp como a dupla de edge rushers. Williams também caiu bem no time como uma escolha de primeira rodada do draft e será visto em campo enquanto McNeill continua a sua reabilitação após romper os ligamentos do joelho.
LINEBACKERS (6)
No elenco: Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Grant Stuard, Zach Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske
Cortados: Anthony Pittman, DaRon Gilbert
PUP (fisicamente indisponíveis de performar): Malcolm Rodriguez
Machucados: Ezekiel Turner
Twentyman: Pittman e Gilbert podem ser candidatos ao practice squad por tudo o que eles podem oferecer ao time de especialistas. Cunningham e Nowaske dão ao time um pouco mais de corrida na defesa. Nowaske é um ótimo reserva para a posição de SAM, o linebacker do lado forte do ataque adversário, atrás de Barnes. O Lions está bem tranquilo em relação ao talento, versatilidade e experiência desse grupo. Campbell pode ser um dos destaques da defesa do Lions em 2025.
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)
DEFENSIVE BACKS (8)
No elenco: D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Rock Ya-Sin, Avonte Maddox, Khalil Dorsey
Cortados: Erick Hallett, Ian Kennelly, Loren Strickland, Morice Norris, Nick Whiteside, Tyson Russell, Luq Barcoo, Allan George, D.J. Miller
Machucados: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Dan Jackson
Twentyman: Ya-Sin e Maddox podendo jogar tanto na posição de cornerback quanto de safety são uma grande adição para a secundária. Dorsey é um dos melhores gunners da liga e oferece experiência também jogando na defesa. Hallett, Kennelly e Norris fizeram bons trabalhos durante o training camp e pré-temporada e são candidatos a vagas no practice squad também. Reed, Arnold e Robertson estiveram incríveis no camp e formam um trio formidável de cornerbacks. Joseph e Branch são a melhor dupla de safeties da NFL. Essa pode ser a melhor secundária do Lions em anos.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
No elenco: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Cortado: Ninguém
Twentyman: O Lions não trouxe nenhuma competição para essas três vagas nessa off-season. Todos os três são grandes jogadores em suas posições nesse início de temporada.
