WASHINGTON -- The Detroit Lions (5-3) are back on the road to face the Washington Commanders (3-6) in a rematch of last year’s divisional-round loss.
There are some changes to this week’s depth chart, with starting left guard Christian Mahogany landing on injured reserve. The Lions have talked about moving some pieces around on the offensive line, so let’s dive into our thoughts on that discussion.
**See below for our projected depth chart heading into Week 10’s game against the Commanders:**
### **Quarterbacks**
1\. Jared Goff
2\. Kyle Allen
Jared Goff has been sacked 18 times this season, including 14 times in the last four games. The Lions quarterback is on pace to set a new career-high for sacks taken in a season at this rate. He needs the team’s offensive line and backfield blitz pick-up to be much better to keep the quarterback humming.
### **Running backs**
1\. Jahmyr Gibbs
2\. David Montgomery
3\. Craig Reynolds
4\. Sione Vaki
**Questionable:** Craig Reynolds (hamstring)
**Out:** Jacob Saylors (back)
It’s been a rotating wheel at the back of the running back depth chart this season. Sione Vaki and Craig Reynolds have each missed time. Reynolds missed last week’s game, with Vaki returning to action for the first time in more than a month. Now, with Vaki and Reynolds back at practice, Jacob Saylors is out.
The Lions haven’t dipped into their depth running backs too much this season. So, this mainly impacts special teams and the kickoff returner depth chart. Detroit has handed the ball off to running backs not named Jahmyr Gibbs or David Montgomery only five times in eight games.
### **Wide receivers**
1\. Amon-Ra St. Brown
2\. Jameson Williams
3\. Kalif Raymond
4\. Isaac TeSlaa
5\. Dominic Lovett
The main question for receivers remains the main question -- when will rookie Isaac TeSlaa see more chances? TeSlaa’s role has plummeted in recent weeks, with only 12 snaps played across the previous two games.
Offensive coordinator John Morton said the third-round rookie receiver is going to get the ball more. TeSlaa has earned those chances, and the Lions want to keep their top three receivers from playing too many snaps, especially with a fresh, able body ready, willing and waiting for an opportunity.
“I think that’s good for us because we got a lot of playmakers, and adding another playmaker is even more dangerous for other teams‚" Jameson Williams said of Morton’s comments on TeSlaa playing more.
### **Tight ends**
1\. Sam LaPorta
2\. Brock Wright
3\. Ross Dwelley
Sam LaPorta has put together a couple of big games over the last three weeks. He didn’t do much against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the bye week. But he had five catches for 55 yards and one touchdown in Kansas City, and caught six passes for 97 yards and another score last week. Through the last four games, LaPorta has 19 receptions for 259 yards and three touchdowns.
### **Offensive line**
**Starters:** LT Taylor Decker, LG Kayode Awosika, C Graham Glasgow, RG Tate Ratledge, RT Penei Sewell
**Reserves:** OT Dan Skipper, OL Trystan Colon, OL Michael Niese (elevation)
**Questionable:** OT Taylor Decker (shoulder), OT Dan Skipper (back)
**Out:** OL Miles Frazier (knee)
Detroit’s offensive line is coming off a dreadful performance and looking to get back to meeting its own standard. The group got beat up against the Vikings last week, and it’s been a tough month in pass protection.
On the bright side, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell are expected to be in the starting lineup despite each battling shoulder injuries. Decker has been dealing with shoulder issues on and off since reporting for camp. Sewell suffered his during last week’s loss. But he managed not to miss any snaps and was back at practice on Thursday and Friday.
The most pressing question heading into this weekend is who will start at left guard. Mahogany is on injured reserve and not expected back until late December. Dan Campbell has discussed moving pieces around on the offensive line. But the Lions coach sounds set on starting Kayode Awosika at left guard as the first option.
Awosika has started seven regular-season games in three seasons, including one playoff start in 2023. He replaced Mahogany and Tate Ratledge for a handful of snaps as the first guard off the bench last week. And while the Lions want to see if Trystan Colon or a move for Graham Glasgow could help them, they could already have their answer at guard.
“I mean, I have played a bunch of games next to him,” Decker said of Awosika. “I played playoff games next to him. I have zero concern about him. I even said that when he came into the game, ‘This is nothing new.’ So it’ll be just fine.”
### **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 Mekhi Wingo, EDGE Tyrus Wheat, DL Quinton Jefferson
**Out:** Pat O’Connor (knee), Josh Paschal (back)
This group remains the same for another week, too, minus the subtraction of depth piece Pat O’Connor. The veteran’s absence this weekend could open the door for someone like Mekhi Wingo to be active again. Wingo hasn’t played since Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, when he logged more than 30 snaps.
Josh Paschal was back at practice this week. The Lions opened the 21-day window for the former second-round pick. But Paschal isn’t ready for action just yet as he recovers from a back injury that’s kept him off the field since camp opened.
### **Linebackers**
**Starters:** (WILL) Alex Anzalone, (MIKE) Jack Campbell and (SAM) Derrick Barnes
**Reserves:** Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, Ty Summers
**Questionable:** Grant Stuard (foot)
**Out:** Malcolm Rodriguez (knee)
Malcolm Rodriguez has been back at practice for two weeks now. He still has another week in the 21-day window before the linebacker must be activated.
When the Lions placed Mahogany on injured reserve earlier this week, they signed linebacker Ty Summers to take his spot on the roster. Summers has bounced between the roster and practice squad over the last month. He’s helped fill the void on special teams with Zach Cunningham on injured reserve and Rodriguez working his way back to action.
### **Secondary**
**Starters:** CB Terrion Arnold, CB Amik Robertson, S Brian Branch, S Thomas Harper, Slot CB Arthur Maulet
**Reserves:** CB Rock Ya-Sin, DB Avonte Maddox, S Erick Hallett II, CB Nick Whiteside, S Daniel Thomas
**Questionable:** S Daniel Thomas (forearm)
**Out:** S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Kerby Joseph will miss his third straight game, meaning Thomas Harper is in line for another start at safety. The Lions have used Arthur Maulet to fill some snaps at nickelback, with Amik Robertson moving back to outside cornerback.
Robertson and Terrion Arnold are expected to be the top two outside cornerbacks once again. Arnold has impressed the Lions with his growth in coverage. But they want to see better technique and returns when it comes to defending the run.
Brian Branch will man the other safety spot, along with several other roles, next to Harper back deep. Avonte Maddox’s return is something to watch, though, as the Lions love his versatility all over the secondary. Maddox was eased back into action last week and could see an increased role with his legs back under him. Daniel Thomas was also activated from injured reserve on Saturday and remains questionable.
Also of note was that Erick Hallett II was a healthy scratch against the Vikings. Hallett was one of those players to step up for the “Legion of Whom” before the bye week. But with pieces returning, he fell down the depth chart despite his versatility.
### **Special teams**
K Jake Bates
P Jack Fox
LS Hogan Hatten
KR Sione Vaki, Craig Reynolds
PR Kalif Raymond
Sione Vaki was next to Jacob Saylors on kickoff returns last week. Saylors has seen most of those chances this season. But a back injury is opening the door for Vaki, Craig Reynolds or even Kalif Raymond to get a crack at returning kickoffs.
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