ALLEN PARK — The catch didn’t ultimately make a difference in the game, but the reaction from Amon-Ra St. Brown was telling.
St. Brown, the third-most-veteran receiver on the Detroit Lions, came hustling over to Isaac TeSlaa late in the fourth quarter of Detroit’s Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers, letting the rookie know it looked like he got his feet down inbounds. St. Brown was correct. After seeing the replay on the video board at Lambeau Field, St. Brown made sure TeSlaa, who had just recorded his first career catch and touchdown, would get to keep the ball.
“You see that video after the catch, he’s running over, calling it a catch, making sure the ref takes a look at it, check it out, see if it’s a touchdown or not, making sure he gets the ball and everything. I think that’s just a testament to who he’s been for me,” TeSlaa said of St. Brown on Thursday.
TeSlaa has seemingly earned the respect of his older teammates. His effort as a run blocker has endeared him, and his plays made during the preseason (10 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 13 targets) didn’t hurt in boosting his standing, either. He also didn’t flinch after getting his helmet knocked off during a scuffle he was at the center of during joint practices with the Miami Dolphins.
He’s started to better fulfill some of his rookie duties, as well.
“At first, he was just average as a rookie in the room. He didn’t keep the snacks in there,” receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said, half-jokingly, of TeSlaa on Wednesday. “That wasn’t good, and Saint let him know that wasn’t good, and he fixed it. As days went on and the snacks Saint likes and Jamo (Jameson Williams) likes and the rest of the guys (like), as they became more available, then they started to maybe talk to him a little more. And then, of course, you start making plays, you get the respect. This is a making-plays business.”
And make plays TeSlaa has. So much so the Lions were comfortable trading veteran Tim Patrick, who entered training camp as the presumed starter at the X receiver position, to the Jacksonville Jaguars. TeSlaa only played three offensive snaps against the Packers (all in the red zone), but that was due to his absence throughout the week, as he was sick. TeSlaa missed the on-field portions of practice on the Wednesday and Thursday leading into the game, and he had to attend meetings virtually.
TeSlaa made it back to the facility Friday, just in time for red-zone work. Now, with a proper week of preparation ahead of Week 2, TeSlaa figures to have more responsibilities against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Kalif Raymond is likely to still see some run, but the split (44 snaps for Raymond at the Packers, three for TeSlaa) isn’t expected to be as pronounced.
“I love Isaac. … I think he’s going to be great for us moving forward,” St. Brown said. “I think he’s right where he needs to be, increasing his role each and every week. He’s coming along. He’s doing everything right, on the field, off the field, getting us snacks. He’s doing a great job.”
Sunday’s home opener will have a little extra meaning for TeSlaa, a Michigan native who showed up to his pre-draft visit wearing the Lions jersey he’s owned since he was a child. Running out of the Ford Field tunnel, standing on the sideline during the national anthem and doing his part to get the Lions into the end zone will be surreal.
He just has to be sure to not forget his rookie duties throughout the week.
“Saint loves his sweet tea. When he doesn’t have his sweet tea, he gets a little cranky,” TeSlaa said. “So, I’ve got to make sure I’m on top of that.”
Originally Published: September 14, 2025 at 9:08 AM EDT