Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection after second preseason game
Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Offensive Line
Wide Receivers (6): Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, Trinity Benson, Tom Kennedy
The last two spots here have been subject to competition. Quintez Cephus missed nearly two weeks of practice earlier this month with a leg injury, and despite returning this past week he did not play at all against the Colts. So much for his opportunity to earn a roster spot, or for the Lions to showcase him for a trade.
Benson led the Lions with 44 receving yards against Indianapolis.
Kennedy followed a 100-yard game in the preseason opener with two touchdowns against the Colts. He also saw some special teams action, playing eight snaps to go with his 46 offensive snaps. That special teams time is an indication he has a better shot to make the roster than originally thought.
PUP: Jameson Williams
Tight Ends (4): T.J Hockenson, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, James Mitchell
Ii wasn’t going to go with four tight ends. But as Kyle Meinke of MLive noted, the rookie Mitchell just hasn’t been on the field enough to be a reliable entity right away. Zylstra has done well in camp, and he had five catches (including a couple clutch grabs) against the Colts.
Offensive Line (8): Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Penei Sewell, Evan Brown, Matt Nelson, Tommy Kraemer
The first five are locks, of course and obviously. Brown, one of the best backup centers in the league, is the sixth lock. Kraemer is versatile, and Dan Campbell loves him (“more than his own mother”, as Meinke quipped).
Roster Count: 25