The Detroit Lions’ final preseason game serves as a showcase for players on the fringe of making the roster. Did these five players do enough to crack the 53?
The Detroit Lions lost their fourth-straight preseason game Thursday night. This time at the hands of the up-and-coming Cleveland Browns. And although these games don’t technically count, it doesn’t mean they don’t matter.
The preseason finale has always served as one last chance for fringe players to build their football résumé and prove they are worthy of being in the NFL. Against the Browns Thursday night, several Lions made their final bid to make the final 53-man roster in Detroit. Here are five fringe players that we are asking the question: Did they do enough to make the cut?
Brandon Powell, WR
Coming into preseason finale, Powell appeared to be on the roster bubble. And although he failed to record a single stat as a receiver, he did add some much-needed juice on special teams as the Lions’ primary kickoff returner in the game.
Powell recorded four kickoff returns, the longest being an impressive 67-yard scamper. But will that alone be enough to save his job in Detroit? That will be determined.
For the preseason overall, the 23-year old recorded five catches for 80 yards and a fumble in four appearances. As a kickoff returner, Powell posted three returns with an average of 21.2 yards per in Lions’ three previous preseason matchups.