Detroit Lions Roster Bubble Watch - 08/25/26

Updated 08/25/26 8:45 AM EST

As the Lions continue working through training camp and the preseason, here is the status by position of the players that the staff of The Grey Manes thinks will ultimately comprise the initial 53-man roster. The number in parenthesis after each position and unit indicates The Grey Manes expected targeted number for each.

Detroit Lions QB Luke Altmyer warms up at Ford Field - Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions

OFFENSE (24)

Quarterback (2^)

• On The Team: Jared Goff

• Bubble: Luke Altmyer, Josh Dobbs

• Cut/Practice Squad: N/A

• Reserve List*: Teddy Bridgewater

• Analysis: Jared Goff will have a backup QB, and it will be either Josh Dobbs or Luke Altmyer. However, there could be some roster gymnastics done here and both Altmyer and Dobbs could be cut to get to the 53-man limit. However, Dobbs is not subject to waivers, so a handshake deal would bring him back in order to allow the Lions to move guys to IR after keeping on the initial roster. Most likely, Dobbs will be the backup and Altmyer to PS unless they need to put someone on IR and Dobbs is willing to work with the team.

Running back (4)

• On The Team: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki

• Bubble: Jacob Saylors, Jabari Smalls

• Cut/Practice Squad:  Trayveon Williams, Roydell Williams

• Reserve List*: Raheem Blackshear

• Analysis: The pecking order after the first three is pretty clear and a healthy Jacob Saylors will likely fill that last role. However, Smalls has made strides in camp, and he could be a surprise keep as the fourth RB. Regardless, Saylors, Smalls and Blackshear are all candidates for the practice squad if they don't make the final roster.

Wide Receiver (5)

• On The Team: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch

• Bubble: Tom Kennedy, Tay Martin, Domnic Lovett

• Cut/Practice Squad: Lucky Jackson, Malik Cunningham, Tarik Black,

• Reserve List*: Kendrick Law, Cedrick Wilson

• Analysis: Choosing to keep five or six WRs was one of the most difficult choices due to special team's needs, but ultimately, I think they will stick with five, choosing between Kennedy and Martin for that last spot, especially if Vet Cedrick Wilson's knee will cause him to miss time. Look for the rest of the cuts to be PS candidates, with at least 2-3 joining. *Updated to reflect Cedrick Wilson moved to Reserve/Injure

Tight End (4)

• On The Team: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin

• Bubble: Jackson Meeks

• Cut/Practice Squad: Thomas Gordon, Zach Horton

• Reserve List: Miles Kitselman, Anthony Firkser

• Analysis: Jackson Meeks may very well be roster #54 (although I think he makes the initial 53) here and the hardest cut of any player on the team. He brings a sense of value at both TE and as an outside WR option, but special teams may be the reason he is on the cut list. He and Thomas Gordon (Horton was already cut once and brought back) would likely get the nod on the practice squad if they are not claimed.

Offensive Line (9)

• On The Team: OT Penei Sewell, OT Blake Miller, OG Christian Mahogany, OG Tate Ratledge, IOL Juice Scruggs, OT Larry Borom

• Bubble: OL Miles Frazier, OC Seth McLaughlin, OG Ben Bartch, OT Devin Cochrane, OT Colby Sorsdal

• Cut/Practice Squad: OC Michael Niese, OG Melvin Priestly, OG Mason Miller

• Reserve List: Giovanni Manu, Cade Mays (DtoR**)

• Analysis: Mays will likely be put on the IR-Designated to return at the cutdown (one of two) so that the Lions do not have to keep him on the roster before moving him to IR. The top six are locked in, with the last three likely coming from the five bubble guys. This battle will come down to versatility and what the players can offers, meaning Frazier is likely in being able to play all line positions except center, and McLughlin has shown promise at Center and can play Guard, leaving Cochrane, Sorsdal and an injured Bartch battling it out for the last spot. If Bartch clears concussion protocol, he is likely in.

DT Skyler Gill-Howard in action at Ford Field vs Washington Commanders - Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions

DEFENSE (26)

Defensive Line (9)

• On The Team: DE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Tyliek Williams, DT Alim McNeil, DE DJ Wonnum, DE Derrick Moore, DL Tyler Lacy, DT Chris Smith, DE Ahmed Hassanein

• Bubble: DT Ben Stille, DL Skyler Gill-Howard, DE Anthony Lucas, DE Eric O'Neil

• Cut/Practice Squad: DT Tyre West, DE Payton Turner

• Reserve List: DT Aidan Keanaaina

• Analysis: This is another tough spot, as several guys have been showing out i camp and will be hard to cut. Gill-Howard, O'Neil and Lucas along with Stille all are battling for the ninth and final spot. Most likely, of they are not claimed, all of them will be considered for the PS that do end up getting cut. I personally believe that Gill-Howrd will land the last spot over O'Neil.

Linebackers (6)

• On The Team: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin White, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske

• Bubble: Joe Bachie, Troy Reeder, Erick Hunter, Amen Ogbongbemiga

• Cut/Practice Squad: Damone Clark

• Reserve List: Jimmy Rolder (DtoR**),

• Analysis: Rolder is the second IR to return candidate (along with Mays) that won't count against the 53-man cap but must miss the first four weeks of the season. After that, I think the first five spots of six are locked down, with Bachie, Reeder, Ogbongbemiga and Hunter battling for that sixth and final spot based on their Special Teams ability. Whoever is cut, likely will be invited to the PS, but Clark appears to have missed way too much time to make the roster.

Cornerbacks (7)

• On The Team: DJ Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary, Keith Abney

• Bubble: Ennis Rakestraw, Nick Whiteside, Amaris Brown (NCB), Kkalil Dorsey,

• Cut/Practice Squad: Ryan Cooper, Ekow Boye-Doe

• Reserve List: N/A

• Analysis: I expect the Lions to keep seven CBs with guys like Izien and Maddox having the ability to switch positions between Safety and CB as needed. The first five feel like locks, with Rakestraw, Whiteside and Dorsey (for his steady CB work and STs presence) likely getting the nod over Brown, Cooper and Boye-Doe.

Safeties (4)

• On The Team: Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper, Avonte Maddox and Christian Izien

• Bubble: Dan Jackson

• Cut/Practice Squad: Jason Taylor II

• Reserve List: Brian Branch (PUP), Kerby Josephy (PUP)

• Analysis: Both Branch and Joseph can be moved from the PUP to the Reserve PUP at cutdown, which means they won't count against the 53-man total, but they would have to miss the first four weeks of the season. That leaves the Lions keeping all the remaining safeties except Dan Jackson, with Izien filling that hybrid Safety/Nickel role. Jackson will go to the PS if he is not claimed.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

Kicker/Punter/Long Snapper

• On The Team: Jake Bates (K), Hogan Hattan (LS), Jack Fox (P)

• Bubble: N/A

• Cut/Practice Squad: N/A

• Reserve List*: N/A

• Analysis: The Lions will run back the same three specialists for the third year in a row now, banking on consistency and continuity for the team.

• *Reserve list players do not count toward final 53-man roster

• **DtoR = Designated to return. Up to two players can be placed on IR as designated to return without having to use a 53-man roster spot before putting them on IR. Must miss four games

• ^If the Lions need a player to be on the initial 53-man roster at cutdown day, but move them to IR after, then could cut Dobbs, and then bring him back (as a vested players he doesn't go through waivers) while keeping that injured player on the initial 53.