PHILADELPHIA -- The Detroit Lions are limping in the secondary, have concerns at tight end and want to get their first-round defender more involved.
See below for our projected depth chart ahead of Sunday Night Football in Philadelphia:
Quarterbacks
1. Jared Goff
2. Kyle Allen
After getting sacked 14 times in four games, Jared Goff stayed on his feet and didn’t go down for the first time since late September. Goff threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in Dan Campbell’s first game back calling the offense.
Running backs
1. Jahmyr Gibbs
2. David Montgomery
3. Sione Vaki
4. Jacob Saylors
Questionable: Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors
There was an even split between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs last week. The one-two punch each received 15 carries in the win against the Commanders. That feels like a Campbell-led objective, and it’s hard to blame him after seeing those results. The Lions ran 33 times for 226 yards and two touchdowns, getting 6.8 yards per rush and moving the chains 11 times on the ground.
Detroit isn’t dipping past those two running backs too much, so expect that to continue, especially with the pair of reserves dealing with injuries.
Wide receivers
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown
2. Jameson Williams
3. Kalif Raymond
4. Tom Kennedy (elevation)
5. Dominic Lovett
6. Jackson Meeks
Questionable: Isaac TeSlaa (oblique)
Isaac TeSlaa played 20 offensive snaps in last week’s win over the Washington Commanders. The rookie wide receiver had played only 12 snaps through the previous two games, highlighting one of the shifts with Dan Campbell calling the offense.
But, as of Saturday afternoon, the rookie is questionable with a new oblique injury. With Tom Kennedy and Jackson Meeks getting elevated, TeSlaa’s status for tonight is very much in doubt.
Also, Jameson Williams was way more involved, eating on crossers and enjoying a five-catch third quarter. Williams said Campbell told him at halftime that “it’s coming.” And those words were music to Williams’ ears.
“So that whole drive, he dedicated it to me, called plays for me, and I just went out there and, you know, made plays,” Williams said. “It was something that, you know, I just had a great feeling. It was great. It felt great getting a ball and moving well with the offense and things like that.”
Tight ends
1. Brock Wright
2. Ross Dwelley
3. Jackson Meeks (elevation)
Out: Sam LaPorta (placed on IR)
Questionable: Brock Wright
Sam LaPorta was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. He’s second on the team in receiving yards and was quietly putting together a strong campaign. But the Lions will have to turn to Brock Wright as their top option. Wright practiced in a limited capacity twice to end the week as he works through a knee injury.
Ross Dwelley should see more chances as TE2. And the Lions elevated Meeks, who has been splitting time between receiver and tight end. Meeks brings more depth at receiver and tight end, with the Lions interested in seeing the undrafted rookie at the position and potentially as an H-back. He caught the team’s eye with his willingness as a blocker at the line of scrimmage, and they think more is there.
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
Questionable: Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell
Out: Miles Frazier
Kayode Awosika filled in well in his first start at left guard since Christian Mahogany landed on injured reserve. Awosika now gets to go against a team he spent the first season in the league with in 2021.
The Lions ran the ball at will last week, and Goff wasn’t sacked once while the offense scored on all eight possessions. The task ahead isn’t easy, with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter on the inside, and Jaelan Phillips looking like a home-run deadline addition on the defensive edges for the Eagles.
Awosika allowed only two pressures, but got high marks on the ground from Pro Football Focus. The Lions were also back to more heavy-set formations featuring six offensive linemen, so expect to see more Dan Skipper and potentially Trystan Colon.
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: EDGE Josh Paschal, EDGE Marcus Davenport
The main talking point here is the one we’ve beat over the head this week -- Tyleik Williams’ role and the emergence of Roy Lopez. Williams has seen his snaps fall off a cliff since Alim McNeill returned. The first-round rookie was playing 20-plus snaps in every game. But has been limited to only 19 defensive reps across the last two games.
Lopez has received heaps of praise for his work in a limited role over the last couple of weeks. But even the Lions feel like they need to use Williams more. And when trying to stop the run and prepare for the “tush push,” the first-round rookie makes a lot of sense to see an increased role in this matchup.
“We’re completely transparent here,” Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said. “It’s no knock against him. But I would like to see Tyleik play more with what he was doing early in the year. I’m not saying he’s Warren Sapp or anything by any stretch. It’s a lot of growth with him, and he knows where I need him to continue to grow and strive. But he should be playing more than eight to 10 snaps, and we’ll make sure that happens.”
Linebackers
Starters: (WILL) Alex Anzalone, (MIKE) Jack Campbell and (SAM) Derrick Barnes
Reserves: Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, Ty Summers
Out: Malcolm Rodriguez
Malcolm Rodriguez will have to wait until next week to make his return from an ACL injury. Rodriguez was downgraded to out on Saturday afternoon. The linebacker must be activated by early next week as his 21-day return window nears its end.
Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes are already playing a ton of snaps as the Lions roll with three linebackers more often than not. Campbell is playing at a high level. Anzalone is the top coverage linebacker, and Barnes’ versatility is vital for them.
Secondary
Starters: CB Amik Robertson, CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Brian Branch, S Thomas Harper, Slot CB Arthur Maulet
Reserves: CB Nick Whiteside, DB Erick Hallett II, S Daniel Thomas, DB Avonte Maddox
Questionable: CB Amik Robertson
Out: CB Terrion Arnold, S Kerby Joseph, CB D.J. Reed
Sheppard will again have to rely on a handful of depth pieces in the secondary. The defensive coordinator will be without three of his starters, and Amik Robertson is working through a hamstring injury. Robertson sounds confident about his chances of playing, and the Lions need him badly.
Expect to see Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin as the starting outside cornerbacks again. Arthur Maulet will continue to fill in the gaps at nickelback. Thomas Harper is set to make his fourth straight start alongside Brian Branch at safety.
Don’t be surprised to see more Avonte Maddox as the veteran makes his return to Philadelphia. And after being inactive last week, Erick Hallett II seems like a good bet to be available on Sunday night.
Special teams
K Jake Bates
P Jack Fox
LS Hogan Hatten
KR Sione Vaki, Tom Kennedy
PR Kalif Raymond
Sione Vaki (ankle) and Jacob Saylors (back) have been banged up in recent weeks. If both are fully healed, expect them to handle kickoff returns. For now, my money is on Vaki and Tom Kennedy as Raymond likely sees an increased offensive role.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.