DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions are getting two key members of the secondary back against the Minnesota Vikings.
They’ll still have to replace safety Kerby Joseph as they return from the bye. But safety Brian Branch is back from suspension, and cornerback Terrion Arnold is set to return from a two-game absence.
Let’s run through the projected depth chart below:
Quarterbacks
1. Jared Goff
2. Kyle Allen
Jared Goff comes out of the bye week with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. If the season ended today, he would have the highest completion percentage of his career (74.9%). Goff will have to survive and make plays against another aggressive defense against the Vikings to keep it rolling.
Running backs
1. Jahmyr Gibbs
2. David Montgomery
3. Sione Vaki
4. Jacob Saylors
Out: Craig Reynolds (hamstring)
Questionable: Sione Vaki (groin)
Craig Reynolds is out, but it sounds like Sione Vaki should be back. Vaki and Jacob Saylors should have roles on special teams. Jahmyr Gibbs will continue to lead the backfield, while the Lions try to find more chances for David Montgomery. Gibbs ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns, adding 82 yards through the air in their last game. It’s hard not to feed Gibbs that much when he’s moving like that.
Wide receivers
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown
2. Jameson Williams
3. Kalif Raymond
4. Isaac TeSlaa
5. Dominic Lovett
Kalif Raymond played 30 offensive snaps against the Bucs before the bye. Rookie Isaac TeSlaa saw only nine offensive plays. TeSlaa continues to see action and has made the most of his opportunities. Raymond has dominated the offensive snaps when fully healthy, though. The rookie played 20-plus snaps in back-to-back games against the Bengals and Chiefs before the bye. How the Lions balance the WR3 work continues to be something to track.
The Lions have also said plenty about Jameson Williams and how they want to get him the ball more this week. It was something they studied during the bye. Offensive coordinator John Morton spoke on the topic and took blame for the lacking production.
“It’s a part of the game,” Williams said. “But, you know, I got catches, yeah, I would like more, but I’m never frustrated about that.
“I know my time is coming. I know it’s coming. So, I’m ready whenever it’s coming.”
Tight ends
1. Sam LaPorta
2. Brock Wright
3. Ross Dwelley
Not much to say here. This group has meshed well. Sam LaPorta leads the way. Brock Wright plays a ton of snaps while handling some dirty work. Ross Dwelley has even carved out a solid depth role.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Taylor Decker, LG Christian Mahogany, C Graham Glasgow, RG Tate Ratledge, RT Penei Sewell
Reserves: OT Dan Skipper, OL Trystan Colon, OL Kayode Awosika
Questionable: Taylor Decker
Taylor Decker returned before the bye week after missing two games. He’s even practiced more in recent weeks, which is another positive sign for his shoulder. Decker is expected to start at left tackle against the Vikings on Sunday.
Decker looked pretty solid in his return to action in Week 7. He allowed no sacks and only one pressure across 37 pass-blocking reps. He held things down for 67 snaps in all, boosting the talent and getting another veteran leader back in the huddle. Pro Football Focus ranked Decker as the fourth-best pass blocker among tackles in Week 7. The Vikings blitz more than any other team in the league, so he’ll need to be back at his best.
Defensive line
Starters: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DL Alim McNeill, DT D.J. Reader, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
Reserves: DT Tyleik Williams, DL Roy Lopez, DL Tyler Lacy, DL Pat O’Connor, DL Mekhi Wingo, EDGE Tyrus Wheat, DL Quinton Jefferson
Aidan Hutchinson finally landed his massive extension this week. Alim McNeill got to play a full game and then get a week off after his first game in 10 months. Al-Quadin Muhammad is good to go after popping up on the injury report this week. So, things are trending way up on the defensive line.
Linebackers
Starters: (WILL) Alex Anzalone, (MIKE) Jack Campbell and (SAM) Derrick Barnes
Reserves: Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, Ty Summers (elevation)
Out: Malcolm Rodriguez
Zach Cunningham is on injured reserve and Malcolm Rodriguez isn’t ready to return just yet. So, Ty Summers will get another chance to provide depth and fill a decent-sized role on special teams.
The top three linebackers will continue to play the majority of the snaps. Trevor Nowaske didn’t see any defensive snaps in the game before the bye. But with Cunningham out, he’ll likely have a role, as Grant Stuard has played mainly on special teams.
Secondary
Starters: CB Terrion Arnold, CB Amik Robertson, S Brian Branch, S Thomas Harper, Slot CB Arthur Maulet
Reserves: CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Erick Hallett II, CB Nick Whiteside, S Jammie Robinson
Out: S Kerby Joseph, S Daniel Thomas
Questionable: DB Avonte Maddox
The secondary has fewer questions to answer this week. But they’ll still have to replace Kerby Joseph for the second straight game. Brian Branch and Terrion Arnold are back, though. Branch will immediately step back into the starting lineup, likely next to Thomas Harper back at safety this weekend.
And it’s hard to imagine Arnold in anything other than a near-every-down role at this point. Look for Arnold and Amik Robertson to hold things down at outside cornerback. Arthur Maulet should fill some snaps in the slot once again. But the Lions play a ton of base defense (second-highest rate in the NFL), so they aren’t relying on the extra defensive back too often, opting for the three linebackers.
Maulet has played 35 snaps in the slot across two games. Robertson leads the team there, but his services are needed on the outside. Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes and Branch fill those reps, as well.
Even if Arnold works back into his role with a pitch count, Rock Ya-Sin is ready to roll after starting twice at cornerback. The Lions also have the “Legion of Whom” ready and waiting for their shot after balling out the last time on the field.
“The ‘Legion of Whom,’ they introduced themselves to the NFL,” defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said. “For them to not only get that opportunity but make the most of it -- Erick Hallett, Art Maulet, Tyrus Wheat -- the names go on and on of guys who went out and not only played and held the line, but put some pressure on some of our starters.”
Special teams
K Jake Bates
P Jack Fox
LS Hogan Hatten
KR Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki
PR Kalif Raymond
Sione Vaki is back to boost this group. Vaki should be back there with Jacob Saylors on kick returns if he’s active for the first time in more than a month.
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