Detroit Lions Bubble Players to Watch Against Bills

Aug 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Joseph Fauria (47) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Joseph Fauria

Another player coming off a strong performance, Joseph Fauria is putting together the kind of preseason period that turns undrafted players into key contributors.

Fauria is used to being a key player. He had 12 touchdowns in his senior year at UCLA, but still wasn’t one of the 254 players who had their names called on draft day. That experience, by his own admission, humbled him, which might have been just what he needed.

Now Fauria looks like a legitimate offense option and an immediate red zone threat. More importantly, his primary competition, fellow rookie Michael Williams, is out with a hand injury.

Fauria was an underdog to make the roster a month ago, but another strong performance against the Bills might make him nearly impossible to cut.