The Detroit Lions broke into the preseason win column with a 24-23 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. Wins and losses in the preseason don't really matter of course, but the feeling of winning (in comeback fashion) with improved performance all the way around was noted by head coach Dan Campbell.
"That's a heck of a win for our guys," Campbell said, via Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. "I thought they went in there and competed...it was a vast improvement from last week."
After their third and final preseason game, Aug. 24 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers, final roster cuts for the Lions going into the season will come on Aug. 27. There are a few position battles that will carry into the preseason finale, but the game against the Chiefs did clarify some things rather nicely. And as has been the case all along since before training camp, we can put about 45 spots on the Lions' 53-man roster in ink right now.
With two preseason games in the books now, here's a fresh 53-man roster projection for the Lions.
Detroit Lions' 53-man roster projection after the second preseason game
Quarterbacks (2)
-Jared Goff
-Hendon Hooker
Hooker won the backup job with his performance against the Chiefs. Or should have won it, anyway. Nate Sudfeld could stick as the third quarterback on the 53-man, but the Lions should have no trouble getting him back as their emergency option on the practice squad if they want to.
Running Backs (4)
-David Montgomery
-Jahmyr Gibbs
-Sione Vaki
-Craig Reynolds
Vaki's fantastic showing against Kansas City (82 total yards, four catches) has pushed the idea he could be the No. 3 running back over Reynolds. Keeping a fifth back (Zonovan Knight?) is possible, but the numbers at other positions prevented it here.