Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection heading into the preseason opener
The Detroit Lions are now two weeks into training camp, with the preseason opener coming next Friday (Aug. 11) at home against the New York Giants.
The Giants will be coming to Allen Park for joint practices on Tuesday and Wednesday before the preseason game. On Saturday, head coach Dan Campbell again conveyed the importance of those practices as a critcal step in the process of preparing for the season. And it the case for some key Lions' players, those sessions against the Giants will be a substitute for playing in the game.
"They're valuable in just the level of competition and it's something different, which I think is great for our guys," Campbell said.....To be able to, now, get a different opponent. It's a totally different look and now I've (speaking of the players) got to adjust quickly, quickly, to get my job done. Those are invaluable." "
The first preseason game will be a clear showcase for plenty of Lions players who are competing for roster spots, and a critical tentpole for more than a few of them. It's easy to overreact to "preseason stars", and the Lions don't have as many spots open to competition as they may have had in past years.
Heading toward the preseason opener, here's a fresh 53-man roster projection for the Lions.