On Tuesday at Detroit Lions training camp, one major return seemed to - on paper - lessen the chances of Jackson Meeks making the final 53-man roster.
Sam LaPorta suited up and participated in several 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills with tons of physicality involved, per 91.7's Will Burchfield, so he's obviously ready to go for Week 1 after a scary hip injury left fans worried about his availability.
That does leave Meeks on the outside looking in on the TE2 competition, though. While it was a long shot that he'd be able to jump over Tyler Conklin or Brock Wright for the job, had LaPorta been out, that path would've been a little more open. Despite a great preseason from him, it just doesn't seem likely he ends up in that TE room in a serious capacity.
Of course, his one saving grace will likely be his potential on special teams for STC Dave Fipp.
Meeks' spot on Lions' 53-man roster could be saved by special teams value
Meeks had a highlight play against the Washington Commanders in Week 2 of the preseason, punching the ball out of the Commanders returner's hands and securing Detroit the victory late in the fourth quarter. It was unbelievably heads up for him, and showed off his capabilities as a gunner for the Lions' special teams unit.
His size, which was why the Lions decided to try and convert him into a tight end, could also be hugely useful for their special teams unit. He may not be utilized as a returner as much, but he's clearly a solid defender in these scenarios.
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But, he's also shown his abilities on offense in preseason - he's had 33 receiving yards on four receptions this preseason, with an average of 8.3 yards per reception. He's shown the ability to shed tackles and take contact in the open field, and so far, the experiment to transition him into a tight end looks to be a successful one.
Of course, there's just a glut of talent on the Lions' offense generally, and with LaPorta back, his chances of making the roster in this capacity are slim. But, his value as either a returner or gunner could make him too good to lose, especially on the waiver wire. He shouldn't be a clear cut candidate to cut from the roster.
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