Tuesday was the day for the Detroit Lions, and all NFL teams, to have their rosters down to 53 players heading into the 2024 season. Monday brought the start of the cuts for the Lions, with several reports of players they will waive or release, and there are IR/PUP/NFI list moves in play too in the moves to get from 90 to 53 players.
But now that the 4 p.m. ET deadline has come and gone, and with the Lions making all their moves official, we have the initial 53-man roster for them. Things stand to change quickly though, with the addition of a third quarterback possible as other teams' cuts become official themselves, players clear waivers, etc.. An outside addition at wide receiver also feels likely.
But, with changes to come soon, here's what the Lions' initial 53-man roster for 2024 looks like.
Detroit Lions 53-man roster right after initial cuts
Offense
Quarterback (2)
- Jared Goff
- Hendon Hooker
The release of Nate Sudfeld effectively shut the door on keeping three quarterback on the initial 53-man roster. As mentioned, having a third guy here is possible, and if not there will be someone on the practice squad as the No. 3 quarterback.
Running Backs (4)
- David Montgomery
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Sione Vaki
- Craig Reynolds
These four have been as locked in as any four spots on the roster, but a surplus of capable players created some tough cuts (Zonovan Knight).
Wide Receivers (4)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Jameson Williams
- Kalif Raymond
- Isaiah Williams
Dan Campbell begged for someone to step up in the Lions' wide receiver room, and he warned those he called out that a certain number of receivers wouldn't be kept just to keep a certain number at the position. Isaiah Williams was the only one of the group who stepped up this preseason, so he earned a spot.
Alongside (if not a notch above) a quarterback, the addition of a wide receiver looms.
Tight Ends (3)
- Sam LaPorta
- Brock Wright
- Parker Hesse
Shane Zylstra was surprisingly waived, thinning the ranks here, though he does seem like a prime candidate to come back on the practice squad. James Mitchell was also a notable name who was waived. Hesse's fullback utility gave him an edge for a spot all along.
Offensive Line (10)
- Penei Sewell
- Taylor Decker
- Frank Ragnow
- Graham Glasgow
- Kevin Zeitler
- Colby Sorsdal
- Giovanni Manu
- Dan Skipper
- Kayode Awosika
- Michael Niese
The surprise to make it here is Niese, though he did have a strong camp to really bolster his case.
Defense
Defensive Line/Edge (9)
- Aidan Hutchinson
- Alim McNeill
- DJ Reader
- Marcus Davenport
- Josh Paschal
- John Cominsky
- Levi Onwuzurike
- James Houston
- Mekhi Wingo
Defensive tackle Brodric Martin suffered a right knee injury during the preseason finale, and he was placed on IR to start the season. He will miss at least four games.
Cominsky seemed head for IR himself. But Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press noted the limitations for IR/designated to return placement on cut day and pointed to that possibility to come in a few days to open up a roster spot. Kyle Peko, who was released on Tuesday, seems like the top candidate to fill that looming roster spot.
Lions placed Brodric Martin and Emmanuel Moseley on IR. Only two IR designations today are eligible to return in season. If John Cominsky heads to IR in the next few days, he can return this season and gives Lions one roster spot.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) August 27, 2024
Houston was on the roster bubble, whether some people wanted to believe it or not, but the Lions went with him over Isaac Ukwu.
Linebackers (7)
Update: When waiver claims were awarded on Wednesday, the Lions brought back Trevor Nowaske and added him to complete their initial 53-man roster.
- Alex Anzalone
- Jack Campbell
- Derrick Barnes
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- Ben Niemann
- Malcolm Rodriguez
- Trevor Nowaske
Niemann was too good this preseason to not make it, and despite dealing with an injury throughout the preseason Rodriguez made the cut. So six linebackers it is.
Cornerbacks (6)
- Carlton Davis
- Terrion Arnold
- Amik Robertson
- Ennis Rakestraw
- Kindle Vildor
- Khalil Dorsey
These six have felt locked in since after the second preseason game, and that chalk came to fruition.
Safeties (5)
- Brian Branch
- Kerby Joseph
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Brandon Joseph
- Loren Strickland
Strickland was a dark horse to make the 53-man roster, and he got it done, presumably beating out C.J. Moore. Melifonwu's unknown injury and unclear timetable surely pushed the Lions toward keeping five safeties.
Specialists (3)
- PK Jake Bates
- P Jack Fox
- LS Hogan Hatten
Rooted in athleticism, versatility (he played some linebacker in the first preseason game) and offering more as a coverage man, the Lions chose the undrafted rookie Hatten over Scott Daly.
NFI list: OG Christian Mahogany
IR: CB Emmanuel Moseley, DT Brodric Martin