3 players on the Lions initial 53-man roster who won't last the whole season

3. DB Loren Strickland

Strickland became a great story during camp and the preseason, coming in as a UDFA and earning a spot on the 53-man roster. But he will miss Week 1 with a thumb injury, and overall his injury outlook is unclear right now. He already feels lined up to be a regular inactive on game days, if only due to numbers needed at other positions. An injury that sidelines him for any time will hurt his chances to stay on the roster.

It could go so far as him being waived with an injury settlement if his thumb is that bad, or it could just be a roster maneuver eventually made to otherwise permanently modify the composition of the active roster. But Strickland may not be very long for the spot he won in the summer.

2. OL Michael Niese

Niese is another Lions' player who made a surprising run to win a roster spot this summer. He first landed on their practice squad after being let go by the Buccaneers at final cuts last year, and he was on the game day roster for one game last season.

The Lions' offensive line depth feels ripe for an experienced addition if any possibilities surface, not that even will at this point. Beyond that though, a lot of internal maneuvering would be done to cover any injuries that occur before Niese ever saw the field at guard or center.

If we were ranking the Lions' roster right now, 1-53, Niese would be.... No. 51? No. 52? So he's ripe to lose his spot, through absolutely no fault of his own, at some point.