The Detroit Lions Podcast

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Daily DLP: Talking Lions Injuries, Outlook With Dr. Jimmy Liao Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

The Detroit Lions must manage running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ snaps because Isaiah Pacheco faces a multi-month back recovery and Brian Branch is tracking for an October return. Sam LaPorta looks ready now, but ongoing back management matters. Waiving Seth McLaughlin and Jabari Small preserved flexibility amid concussion timelines.

Why were Seth McLaughlin and Jabari Small waived instead of placed on IR?

The Lions chose waivers to keep near-term roster and practice-squad flexibility, not season-long IR limits. Lions center Seth McLaughlin sustained a concussion around August 27. Dr. Jimmy Liao said his three-year concussion review showed a median 11-day return to play, so McLaughlin’s waiver was a slight surprise based on timeline alone.

Lions running back Jabari Small was a different case. There was strong concern on film for a second concussion in preseason game three, though no official diagnosis was announced. Dr. Jimmy Liao warned that if Small truly suffered two concussions within eight days, he is out for at least a month and his functional threshold to absorb contact becomes a season-long concern. As Jeff Risdon explained, waiving rather than injury-settling preserves the Lions’ ability to bring him back to the practice squad without the settlement waiting period risk.

What about other IR decisions like Cade Mays?

Lions offensive lineman Cade Mays went to IR with a wrist fracture. Dr. Jimmy Liao noted typical wrist recoveries can range from about three to eight weeks in comparable NFL examples, so IR indicates a longer timeline than a straightforward fracture. He also flagged Lions offensive lineman Ben Bartch’s Lisfranc history as unreliable, noting Dan Campbell’s earlier disappointment with the slow recovery pace.

How severe is Isaiah Pacheco’s back injury and what does it mean for Jahmyr Gibbs?

Lions running back Isaiah Pacheco’s back issue is severe and extends past a standard soft-tissue timetable. Going on IR rules him out until at least October 11, which Dr. Jimmy Liao characterized as an eight-plus-week back injury with potential spinal involvement. He called Pacheco a “10 out of 10” risk right now.

As Jeff Risdon noted, when Brad Holmes said “we hope that we see him this year,” his heart sank. With David Montgomery traded, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs becomes the bell cow, and Dr. Jimmy Liao emphasized true load management to preserve Jahmyr Gibbs through 17 games and the playoffs. Lions running back Jacob Saylors must step up as the No. 2 while Pacheco rehabs.

Can Sam LaPorta hold up all season with a back issue and an early short week?

Yes, if the Lions keep managing his workload. Lions tight end Sam LaPorta looked fully functional in camp. Jeff Risdon observed full-speed blocking and difficult catches without visible limitation. Dr. Jimmy Liao cautioned that repetitive blocking hyperextension stresses the spine and can trigger disc recurrence, so practice and contact management are key.

Does the Sunday-Thursday turn and field change matter?

The Lions open Sunday at home on turf, then play Thursday night at the Buffalo Bills on grass. Dr. Jimmy Liao said surface changes can matter, but both teams share the short-week strain and the Lions can mitigate by trimming full-contact practice exposure and prioritizing recovery between games.

When will Brian Branch return from his Achilles tear?

Lions defensive back Brian Branch remains on timetable. Dr. Jimmy Liao pegged typical Achilles return at 10 to 11 months, which places Brian Branch, injured December 4, in the October-to-early-November window. IR to start the season is expected and not a setback.

Jeff Risdon watched Brian Branch working strenuously on the side and moving well, and Dr. Jimmy Liao is cautiously optimistic Brian Branch can get close to 100 percent once acclimated. The goal is sustainable availability in October, not just an early cameo.

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Bish & Brown: Lions 53-Man Roster Review - Detroit Lions Podcast Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

The Detroit Lions built their 53 around an attacking defense and flexible offense. They kept waves of defensive linemen to stunt and overload, and they set a short-term interior offensive line and running back plan until injuries clear. Jacob Saylors is RB2 while Isaiah Pacheco is on IR for the first four games.

What does the 53-man roster say about the Lions identity on defense?

The Lions will attack with multiple fronts and pressure packages. As Scott Bischoff said, Detroit showed overloaded looks and disruptive stunts in the preseason, a clear shift from a static approach.

Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions, headlines a deep edge group with edge rusher Derrick Moore, Detroit Lions, and interior disruptors like defensive tackle Alim McNeill, Detroit Lions, and defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, Detroit Lions. Safety Chuck Clark, Detroit Lions, benefits from faster pressure, as do safety Avonte Maddox, Detroit Lions, safety Christian Izien, Detroit Lions, and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, Detroit Lions. With linebacker Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions, plus linebackers Derrick Barnes, Detroit Lions, Malcolm Rodriguez, Detroit Lions, and Jimmy Rolder, Detroit Lions, Aaron Glenn can roll 4-2-5, five-man fronts, and creative mug looks to speed up quarterbacks.

How will the offensive line function until Cade Mays returns?

Center Juice Scruggs, Detroit Lions, starts for now, and the group will grow its chemistry week to week. Scott Bischoff emphasized the interior timing changes with different centers and how the run game timing will evolve, then stabilize when Cade Mays returns.

The projected five: left tackle Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions, left guard Christian Mahogany, Detroit Lions, center Juice Scruggs, Detroit Lions, right guard Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions, and right tackle Blake Miller, Detroit Lions. Depth includes center Seth McLaughlin, Detroit Lions, and swing tackle Larry Borom, Detroit Lions. Russell Brown noted the staff’s confidence in line coach Hank Fraley’s cross-training, with Scruggs and McLaughlin keeping protections functional until Mays is back.

Who is RB2 and what happens while Isaiah Pacheco is on IR?

Running back Jacob Saylors, Detroit Lions, is RB2 behind running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions, while running back Isaiah Pacheco, Detroit Lions, is on IR for the first four games. Russell Brown noted Dan Campbell has said he is comfortable with Saylors in that role.

Russell Brown also questioned how running back Sione Vaki, Detroit Lions, will be used, since his preseason work skewed to special teams. Scott Bischoff floated a short-term depth addition if needed, especially for fourth-quarter carries in games where Detroit protects leads.

How will Detroit balance a light WR room with tight ends?

Detroit will flex tight ends to cover WR4/WR5 duties. As Scott Bischoff laid out, tight end Jackson Meeks, Detroit Lions, can split out as a de facto fifth receiver in 12 or 13 personnel, letting tight end Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions, play a full combo role while tight end Brock Wright, Detroit Lions, handles more in-line work. Tight end Tyler Conklin, Detroit Lions, offers additional versatility.

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions, and wide receiver Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions, headline a lean WR group with wide receiver Tay Martin, Detroit Lions, rounding it out. The structure fits Detroit Lions Podcast recurring themes: multiple tight ends, motion, pin-and-pull, duo, and varied route families that keep the ball moving without needing six traditional wide receivers.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jaredgoff #jahmyrgibbs #amon-rast.brown #samlaporta #peneisewell #jackcampbell #aidanhutchinson #brianbranch #kirbyjoseph #juicescruggs #tateratledge #blakemiller #chuckclark #avontemaddox #christianizien

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Breaking Down Brad Holmes Presser and More Lions Roster Moves - Detroit Lions Podcast Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

The Daily DLP for Thursday, September 3rd is a meaty one. Lions GM Brad Holmes and Assistant VP Ray Agnew met with the media on Wednesday and brought up a number of topics worthy of discussion. From the Terrion Arnold timing and replacement plan, or lack thereof, to adding more juice to the defensive line with players like rookies Skyler Gill-Howard and Eric O'Neill, Holmes and Agnew handled questions about the roster constitution and the decisions behind the moves. Detroit also made some more roster moves, waiving Seth McLaughlin and Jabari Small days after each made the initial 53-man roster. Injuries to both affected the timing, and we explain why it just might be a savvy bit of roster gymnastics from the Lions that allows both to stay in the Den. We also break down who might be getting added to the 53-man roster and why Tom Kennedy deserves to be one of them. Plus, a quick breakdown of new practice squad OL Elijah Klein. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #sethmclaughlin #jabarismall #practicesquad #bradholmes #rayagnew #elijahklein #masonmiller #tateratledge #tomkennedy #dominiclovett

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Daily DLP: Tyler Conklin Returns, Pacheco to IR and More - Detroit Lions Podcast Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

The Detroit Lions placed running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four weeks. Detroit also re-signed tight end Tyler Conklin to the 53-man roster, restoring depth at tight end without changing the offensive identity. These moves clarify early running back roles and the immediate return game plan.

Why did the Detroit Lions put Isiah Pacheco on IR now?

Because his back injury, coupled with a knee issue, requires a minimum four-week shutdown and the team planned for it. As Jeff Risdon noted, this explains why Detroit initially carried five running backs and then added Detroit Lions running back Jabari Small.

Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors is the clear No. 2 after a strong preseason, benefitting from a full offseason to refresh after a full UFL workload last year. The staff can lean on Saylors while Small factors in as RB3/4 and on returns. Jeff Risdon also speculated the back issue could extend Isaiah Pacheco’s absence beyond four weeks, a nod to the challenges of practicing and playing through back pain.

What does Tyler Conklin’s return mean for tight end usage?

It adds proven depth and special teams flexibility, not a shift to a 13-personnel base. Detroit Lions tight end Tyler Conklin overlaps with Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright’s TE2 profile, allowing the staff to deploy roles cleanly around Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta.

Conklin’s presence lets the staff use the third tight end in more receiver-like and special teams roles, and Conklin may be inactive some weeks if special teams tilt roster math. Per Jeff Risdon, the Lions showed more 12 packages in camp but did not live in 13. Expect Drew Petzing and Mike Kafka to tailor groupings to their threats, not to a rigid template.

Who returns kicks and punts in Week 1?

Tom Kennedy is the expected punt returner and Jabari Small will get the first crack at kick returns. Detroit lacks a single locked-in answer, so they can elevate up to three practice-squad players to cover the roles.

Jeff Risdon pointed to Tom Kennedy’s reliability on punts and Jabari Small’s fit on kicks. The door remains open for additional competition as game plans and health evolve.

How did depth change on the offensive line and practice squad?

Detroit added Detroit Lions offensive lineman Elijah Klein to the practice squad and brought back Detroit Lions slot receiver Dominic Lovett, while reinforcing tackle depth. Klein has over 400 snaps of NFL experience, can play multiple spots, and is best at left guard, aligning with Detroit Lions guard Christian Mahogany and Detroit Lions guard Ben Bartch.

Detroit Lions right guard Tate Ratledge has the right guard job, working alongside rookie Detroit Lions right tackle Blake Miller and new Detroit Lions center Cade Mays. Detroit also remains bullish on developmental tackle Detroit Lions offensive tackle Devin Cochran.

What about Eric Hunter?

Linebacker Erick Hunter chose a 53-man roster spot with the New England Patriots instead of a Detroit practice-squad return. With Detroit Lions linebacker Devin White joining Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell atop a deep room, Hunter pursued immediate snaps elsewhere, a path Jeff Risdon compared to the Trevor Nowaske precedent.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #isaiahpachecotoinjuredreserve #tylerconklinbackon53-manroster #jacobsaylorsasno.2runningback #jabarismallonkickreturns #tomkennedyhandlingpunts #more12personnellooks #noshiftto13personnelbase #samlaportafocaltightend #brockwrightte2role #elijahkleinaddedtopracticesquad

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The Grey Area - Things I Think I Think Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

The Detroit Lions will lean on a fierce defensive line and Dan Campbell’s back-to-basics reset to cover a thin secondary in Week 1 at the New Orleans Saints. Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is the roster’s oldest player at 31, the team is younger, and Jameson Williams is primed for a massive year, but RB2 remains unsettled.

Did Dan Campbell’s reset make the Detroit Lions better right now?

Yes, the focus shift worked. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell cut the noise, scrapped joint practices, mixed select veterans into preseason snaps, and built one of the NFL’s youngest rosters.

As Michael Grey noted, Jared Goff is the oldest Lion at 31, and the roster is young, hungry and healthy. Campbell emphasized 2022 and 2023 habits, eliminated the distraction of joint-practice fights, and refused to be held hostage by reputations. The result is a locked-in group headed to Week 1 in New Orleans.

Can the defensive line save a depleted secondary?

Yes, the front is built to drive the defense while the back end stabilizes. Detroit enters without a true nose tackle, instead loading up on twitchy, package-ready linemen who can create havoc.

Three of the four expected starters in the secondary are out, including Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch and Detroit Lions safety Kirby Joseph, and Terrion Arnold sits on the commissioner’s exempt list. As Michael Grey said, “the secondary is easily the weakest position group on the team, period, full stop.” Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson needs help, and Detroit added it with Detroit Lions edge rusher DJ Wonnum and Detroit Lions edge Ahmed Hassanein at big end, plus a healthy Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill. With more nickel and dime on deck and fewer three-linebacker sets, the pass rush must drive stops while Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell anchors the second level.

Is it finally Jameson Williams season in Detroit?

Yes, and the production is already there. Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams stacked back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,117 yards last year, and he dominated camp.

His stop route on the boundary is shredding defenders, and the trust with Jared Goff is carved in stone. Jared Goff has repeatedly praised Williams’ growth over the past seasons, and Williams’ sideline leadership with the receiver room showed up all preseason. Expect the staff to feature him from Week 1 rather than forgetting him for a month and a half as Michael Grey criticized last year.

What is the RB2 plan and how does Drew Petzing fit with Jared Goff?

RB2 is unresolved, and protecting Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ workload is non-negotiable. Detroit needs a committee to siphon roughly ten carries and snaps so Jahmyr Gibbs can be deployed in routes, in the slot, and on designed passes without overuse.

On the headset, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is learning the Lions’ language from Jared Goff. As Michael Grey relayed, Jared Goff explained that Petzing is being taught the offense and will build from it, which makes Jared Goff’s experience and communication invaluable to the play-caller. The mandate is clear: feature Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams, let the D-line drive the defense, and ride the culture reset into Week 1.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jaredgoff #jamesonwilliams #dancampbell #aidanhutchinson #brianbranch #kirbyjoseph #djwonnum #ahmedhassanein #aleemmcneill #jackcampbell #drewpetzing #neworleanssaints #detroitlionsdefensiveline #nickeldefense #dimepackage

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Daily DLP: Breaking Down Lions Practice Squad & Moves to Get There Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

The Daily DLP from the Detroit Lions Podcast dives deep into the team’s initial 14-man practice squad signings on Monday. Before getting into the players who constitute the Lions practice squad, host Jeff Risdon reviewed some of the more intriguing, surprising moves to get to the 53-man roster. Wide receiver Greg Dortch getting cut and now moving onto the Buffalo Bills remains a head-scratcher from a football standpoint. The Lions don’t have anyone else who can do what Dortch offered as a receiver and a return man. Tyler Conklin not making the team also gets covered, with the knowledge that Jackson Meeks offers a different element than the veteran. It’s a pragmatic choice by the Lions, and also rewards Meeks for his outstanding special teams contributions all summer. Those special teams are where RB Jabari Small likely made the team as well. The practice squad has 14 players who were cut by Detroit on Sunday. Two spots remain open. One of them might be for UDFA LB Erick Hunter. While Hunter isn’t on the list, it does not necessarily mean that the Lions haven’t tried to get him back. Hunter might be weighing other opportunities with different teams that offer a more immediate path to playing time than what he has in Detroit. Two 2025 draftees, Dominic Lovett and Dan Jackson, are also not on the list. It’s a disappointing lack of progress for the two Georgia Bulldogs, taken late in the ‘25 draft. While frustrating, missing on late Day 3 picks is not cause for alarm or shame for GM Brad Holmes. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #gregdortch #jabarismall #sionevaki #jacobsaylors #jacksonmeeks #tylerconklin #brockwright #nickwhiteside #masonmiller #sethmclaughlin

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[616] Detroit Lions Cut Roster to 53 - Detroit Lions Podcast Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Detroit Lions Cut Roster To 53

The preseason is over. The evaluations are finished. Now comes the part of the NFL calendar that can change careers in a single phone call.

The Detroit Lions close August with their 53-man roster cutdown deadline arriving at 6 p.m. Sunday, only one day after a 25-16 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. By the time Chris and Jeff Risdon go live at 8 p.m. on the Detroit Lions Podcast, the initial roster should be set and the real work will begin: understanding why each decision was made, which players survived, who could return on the practice squad, and where Brad Holmes may still be looking for help.

Colts Finale Gives Detroit One Last Set of Answers

Saturday was never really about beating Indianapolis. It was about giving the back half of the Lions roster one final chance to force difficult conversations.

Josh Dobbs made his strongest argument of the summer in the QB2 competition, leading three touchdown drives and playing efficient, controlled football. Luke Altmyer had been one of Detroit's best preseason stories, but turnovers in the finale complicated an already fascinating decision. Even after the Lions make their cut, the quarterback depth chart may not be completely settled if an intriguing veteran becomes available elsewhere.

Jacob Saylors made another forceful case at running back with a 100-yard afternoon, while Lucky Jackson's productive receiving day provided another reminder of how painful some of these Detroit Lions Roster Cuts could become.

That is the sign of a deeper football team. The most interesting names on cut day are no longer obvious camp bodies. They are players who have demonstrated legitimate NFL ability.

The Hardest Decisions on the Lions Roster

Running back, wide receiver, defensive line, cornerback and linebacker all carry real intrigue.

The secondary deserves particular attention. Detroit has already absorbed major change there this offseason, and the health of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch means the early-season depth chart may look very different from the version the Lions hope to field later. Every corner and safety decision therefore carries added weight.

The defensive line presents the opposite problem. Detroit has built enough competition that useful players may simply run out of seats. Those are the cuts other teams watch closely on the waiver wire.

Then there is the surprise cut. Every year produces one. A strong preseason can make a player difficult to waive, but roster construction involves special teams, positional flexibility, contracts and projected roles that never appear in a box score.

Cutdown Day Is Only the Beginning

The initial 53-man roster is not the final roster. Waiver claims arrive next, followed by the construction of the practice squad and potential veteran additions from around the league.

That will be central to tonight's show. Chris and Jeff will react to the Detroit Lions roster cuts as they become official, identify the decisions that could come back to haunt Detroit, evaluate the depth chart, and discuss whether the roster is strong enough to withstand the injuries already affecting key positions.

Then comes the confidence check.

Detroit enters the season with legitimate expectations. The question on cutdown night is not simply whether Brad Holmes found 53 players. It is whether he kept enough depth, flexibility and NFL-ready talent to get this team through September and position the Lions for the season they believe they can have.

Join us live for Detroit Lions Cut Roster To 53 as the preseason ends and the real roster takes shape.

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#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jaredgoff #joshuadobbs #lukealtmyer #gregdortch #tomkennedy #nickwhiteside #benstille #aidanhutchinson #djwonnum #kerbyjoseph #brianbranch #jackcampbell #jacobsaylors #dancampbell #detroitlionsrostercuts

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Daily DLP: What We're Watching in the Lions Preseason Finale - Detroit Lions Podcast Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

The Detroit Lions will sit their starters against the Indianapolis Colts, and the outcome is irrelevant, this game decides jobs. The QB2 call turns on Lions quarterback Josh Dobbs eliminating turnovers while Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer delivers mistake-free football. Special teams performance will settle multiple roster battles and practice-squad invites.

Will starters like Jared Goff and Penei Sewell play?

No. Lions quarterback Jared Goff and Lions right tackle Penei Sewell are not expected to play, and the focus shifts to roster-bubble evaluations. Healthy scratches are a positive signal for players on the cusp, while those who dress are being tested for role clarity, depth value, and reliability.

Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier is a key evaluation, and he needs snaps. The staff can test him at tackle and guard to see where he holds up best with regulars out. Lions tackle Larry Borom is another usage watch, a workload that will hint at the staff’s confidence in his role. Lions guard Tate Ratledge is not expected to play, further underscoring that the priority is health over risk in this preseason finale.

Who wins the Detroit Lions QB2 job, Josh Dobbs or Luke Altmyer?

Josh Dobbs holds the job if he protects the ball, but Luke Altmyer can take it by avoiding disasters. As Jeff Risdon noted, the issue with Dobbs is not the highs; it is the lows, including the kind of interception he threw against Washington that cannot happen for a backup.

If Dobbs plays a clean game and keeps the chains moving, he stabilizes QB2. If Altmyer manages the offense without turnovers while Dobbs repeats the same mistakes, Altmyer creates a real path onto the 53. The staff does not care about the score in this game, they care about decision-making and risk management from the backup spot.

Which roster battles will special teams decide today?

Several. As Jeff Risdon emphasized, Lions head coach Dan Campbell has used special teams as the tiebreaker in position battles. Look for blocking quality on punt and kick returns, lane integrity on coverage, and who draws or avoids penalties.

Lions wide receiver Tay Martin and Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks have helped themselves with their special teams work. Lions slot receiver Dominic Lovett has been inconsistent in the phase, and Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy has been fine but outplayed by others on units. Lions wide receiver Lucky Jackson has also flashed. In the return-block core, Lions defensive lineman Anthony Lucas and Lions edge defender Eric O’Neill have stacked good reps in the middle of the kick-return unit. These reps impact not only the final 53 but also the 16 practice-squad spots.

Could Detroit add a quarterback after waivers?

Yes. If a cleaner decision-maker than Dobbs shakes free, the Lions will consider it. As Jeff Risdon reminded, Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell once said quarterback Sam Howell has Pro Bowl potential, so a name like that, if waived, would merit a look.

Any coaching wrinkles to watch?

Expect a health-first approach, but there could be fun situational tests, including a long try for Lions kicker Jake Bates, even from 59 or 69 yards, and the occasional pressure call. The goal is evaluation, not a scoreboard win.

#detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #jaredgoff #peneisewell #joshdobbs #lukealtmyer #dancampbell #jakebates #milesfrazier #larryborom #tateratledge #dominiclovett #tomkennedy #taymartin #jacksonmeeks #anthonylucas #indianapoliscolts

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Daily DLP: Lions 53-Man Roster Projection - Detroit Lions Podcast Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

The Daily DLP and host Jeff Risdon walk listeners and viewers through the latest Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection ahead of the team's final preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. Some of the more difficult decisions earn extra attention. Among them: --Keeping 2 QBs instead of 3 --Activating Brian Branch from the PUP list to start the season --Tay Martin landing WR5 over a deep group --Jackson Meeks and Erick Hunter crashing the roster party --Injuries impacting the safety, RB and OL spots #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #53-manrosterprojection #jaredgoff #benstille #joshuadobbs #erickhunter #trevornowaske #taymartin #isaacteslaa #milesfrazier

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Daily DLP: Lions Takeaways From Preseason Win Over Commanders Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

The Daily DLP breaks down the Detroit Lions preseason victory in Ford Field over the Washington Commanders. What can be taken away from the game, from the players and how they performed, to the overall Lions team and depth. There were a couple of unfortunate injuries that have led to some roster changes. Can the new additions make enough of an impression in a short amount of time? Host Jeff Risdon goes over some of the bigger takeaways from the game. Some players helped themselves or upped their status with the team. Among the winners: Derrick Moore, Trevor Nowaske, Levi Onwuzurike and Jackson Meeks. Others did not help themselves. And then there were some who treaded water in a weird way, including QB Josh Dobbs. #detroitlions #lions #detroitlionspodcast #preseason #joshdobbs #lukealtmyer #jackcampbell #derekbarnes #alexanzalone #levionwuzurike #trevornowaske #jacksonmeeks #taymartin

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Why were Seth McLaughlin and Jabari Small waived instead of placed on IR?

What about other IR decisions like Cade Mays?

How severe is Isaiah Pacheco’s back injury and what does it mean for Jahmyr Gibbs?

Can Sam LaPorta hold up all season with a back issue and an early short week?

Does the Sunday-Thursday turn and field change matter?

When will Brian Branch return from his Achilles tear?

What does the 53-man roster say about the Lions identity on defense?

How will the offensive line function until Cade Mays returns?

Who is RB2 and what happens while Isaiah Pacheco is on IR?

How will Detroit balance a light WR room with tight ends?

Why did the Detroit Lions put Isiah Pacheco on IR now?

What does Tyler Conklin’s return mean for tight end usage?

Who returns kicks and punts in Week 1?

How did depth change on the offensive line and practice squad?

What about Eric Hunter?

Did Dan Campbell’s reset make the Detroit Lions better right now?

Can the defensive line save a depleted secondary?

Is it finally Jameson Williams season in Detroit?

What is the RB2 plan and how does Drew Petzing fit with Jared Goff?

Detroit Lions Cut Roster To 53

Colts Finale Gives Detroit One Last Set of Answers

The Hardest Decisions on the Lions Roster

Cutdown Day Is Only the Beginning

Will starters like Jared Goff and Penei Sewell play?

Who wins the Detroit Lions QB2 job, Josh Dobbs or Luke Altmyer?

Which roster battles will special teams decide today?

Could Detroit add a quarterback after waivers?

Any coaching wrinkles to watch?

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