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2025 Detroit Lions: 0-0 HOF Game on tape, as DC said..."We got work to do" (59 Viewers)

A Lions player to watch from every position group when team hosts Miami for a preseason game this afternoon​


Allen Park — This week’s joint practices between the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins were eye-opening.

The Lions’ offense, which had battled inconsistency throughout camp, looked far more like the unit that set the franchise record for scoring a year ago, racking up touchdowns in bunches.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s aggressive and promising defense validated some of what we’d been seeing and writing about prior to the shared practices, easily getting the better of a Miami offense that admittedly was down some key pieces.

Joint practices are designed, more than anything, to get your starters the work lost by holding them out of preseason games, in a more controlled environment. The backups take a back seat during those two days, with fewer reps, particularly in full-team settings. The preseason matchup on Saturday will be their time to shine.

With that in mind, here’s who we’ll be focusing on when the Lions and Dolphins meet at Ford Field this Saturday at 1 p.m.

Quarterback​

Player to watch: Hendon Hooker

It’s overly dramatic to suggest Hooker is on the ropes. However, the incumbent backup has unquestionably conceded pole position to veteran Kyle Allen in the race to retain the job.

The practice performances of the two QBs have been close to level. Nonetheless, Allen has been far more impressive in the two preseason games, particularly a 7-for-8 showing against Atlanta that included a pair of touchdown tosses.

Hooker desperately needs to stem the tide against the Dophins to avoid the gap widening to a gulf entering the stretch run of camp. He needs to transfer the improved processing and intermediate accuracy he’s demonstrated in training camp. Happy feet, premature bailing from the pocket, and a paltry 3.5 yards per pass attempt aren’t going to cut it in this competition.

Running back​

Player to watch: Sione Vaki

Respectfully, we’ve seen enough of Craig Reynolds this preseason. We know what the veteran has to offer, and you should feel good about the veteran’s three-down ability as the first man off the bench if something were to happen to Jahmyr Gibbs or David Montgomery.

I’m ready to see Vaki shoulder the backfield load after missing the first two preseason games with a nagging injury. Possessing dynamic athleticism, the converted safety has shown through limited practice reps that his skillset as a ball carrier is rounding a corner. He's displaying better feel for his blocks and patience when running between the tackles.

Vaki’s upside as a change-of-pace back remains lofty. He needs to earn the coaching staff’s trust, and the final two preseason games offer a premium opportunity to do that.

Wide receiver​

Player to watch: Jackson Meeks

I fully understand that Isaac TeSlaa might be the main attraction on Saturday. Rightfully so. The third-round pick has been a quick study, with rapidly improving fundamentals in all aspects of the position. That said, I’m not sure what more we’ll learn about his trajectory in this matchup.

Meeks, on the other hand, is pushing to make Detroit’s roster decisions uncomfortable. Against Atlanta, he overcame an early drop to catch three passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he mauled as a run blocker and is contributing on multiple special teams.

If Meeks keeps his foot on the gas, the Lions might have to consider keeping seven receivers on the 53-man roster. It’s not as unusual as you might think. Seven teams kept seven receivers on their initial 53 a year ago.

Tight end​

Player to watch: Zach Horton

Sam LaPorta’s injury doesn’t impact Horton’s playing time in this game, since LaPorta wasn’t going to suit up, regardless. Still, it did allow Horton to see some work with the starting offense during the second day of joint practices with the Dolphins.

The undrafted rookie remains in the mix for Detroit’s third tight end job and feels close to a lock for a practice squad slot if he doesn’t make the 53. Nearly all of the block-first option's snaps have come attached to the tackle or in the backfield. He’s also seen work on both kickoff and punt return.

He put up some decent receiving numbers in college, but hasn’t logged a catch through the first two preseason games. He got open in the end zone at practice on Thursday, but Hooker misfired high on the target. Some pass-game contributions against Miami could bolster Horton’s chances.

Offensive line​


Player to watch: Kingsley Eguakun

Eguakun was losing ground in the backup center competition to veteran Trystan Colon before he suffered an elbow injury against Atlanta. The team didn’t put him on injured reserve, but coach Dan Campbell said Colon will be out “a while.”

The injury opens the door for Eguakun to regain the momentum he had earlier this offseason. He was undeniably better against Atlanta than in the Hall of Fame game, but he also faced a lesser caliber of competition coming off the bench last week. Furthermore, he wasn’t able to build on that outing in joint practices, often getting overwhelmed by the power of the Dolphins’ defensive tackles.

Even with Colon sidelined, Eguakun has to fend off Michael Niese, who made the roster out of camp and was active all 17 games last season.
 

Edge​

Player to watch: Nate Lynn

Campbell praised the work of all three of Detroit’s young edge rushers this week — Lynn, Isaac Ukwu and Mitchell Agude — although Lynn appears to be pulling ahead in the competition for a potential roster spot thanks to his pass-rush ability.

Logging just 16 defensive snaps, Lynn made his presence felt in Atlanta, generating four pressures and tallying a sack. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder is also holding up decently against the run.

Maybe the discussion ends up moot, with a fifth edge-rushing job ultimately going to a veteran free agent, namely Za’Darius Smith. But who is to say another couple of strong pass-rushing performances gives the Lions pause, affording them the opportunity to go into the season with a younger, cheaper option in that situational role?

Defensive tackle​

Player to watch: Brodric Martin

Martin has been buried a few times over this offseason. It’s difficult to justify keeping three nose tackles on the roster. With DJ Reader and Roy Lopez clearly ahead of Martin on the depth chart, no one is really sure where the former third-round pick would fit in Detroit’s 2025 plan.

Things were made worse for Martin’s chances after he missed a few practices with an injury. However, he managed to suit up against the Falcons and had a clear impact as both a run defender and pass rusher in a dozen snaps.

That game getting cut short likely limited Martin’s opportunity to make a bigger splash. We’ll have to see if he can recover to stack performances against the Dolphins.

Linebacker​

Player to watch: Anthony Pittman

Pittman might be in trouble, especially if the Lions don’t keep seven linebackers this year to address depth elsewhere on the roster.

At best, Pittman is seventh on the positional depth chart, behind starters Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes, as well as top backups Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske and Zach Cunningham. Pittman was likely in line for more late-game snaps against the Falcons, but ended up seeing only two reps with the game stopped early.

The Wayne State product has spent most of his career with the Lions. Still, they let him walk in free agency in 2024, only bringing him back when injuries decimated the depth chart late in the season. In those three contests, he saw just 15 defensive snaps. His biggest contributions have always come on special teams. However, the team is loaded with quality performers within those groups, requiring Pittman to show more to stick.

Cornerback​

Player to watch: Nick Whiteside

A midcamp addition from the UFL, Whiteside has made a dozen plays on the ball since arriving, including an interception in joint practices. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder looks the part and has played his way into a handful of first-team reps with Terrion Arnold banged up, Rock Ya-Sin dabbling at safety, and Ennis Rakestraw landing on season-ending injured reserve.

One Dolphins writer said they’d definitely suggest the team put in a waiver claim if the Lions let Whiteside go as part of final cuts. That’s not a lock. With Rakestraw’s injury, there’s room on the roster for another corner. Erick Hallet has been at the front of that mix, but Whiteside’s playmaking can’t be ignored.

It’s also a positive sign for Whiteside that his special teams snaps sharply increased against Atlanta. The Lions are trying to get a grasp on all the things he can bring to the table on Sundays.

Safety​

Player to watch: Ian Kennelly

While there are no questions or concerns regarding the top of the depth chart, the backup situation at safety remains fluid.

Avonte Maddox had been the presumptive third option. However, he’s been largely repping at nickel recently, coinciding with the Lions testing Ya-Sin at safety. As for the young collective battling for a spot, it's thinned from five options to two with Hallett moving to the corner, rookie Dan Jackson going on injured reserve, and Morice Norris shelved by the concussion that saw him taken off the field by ambulance in Atlanta last week.

That leaves Loren Strickland and Kennelly as the last two standing from that group. Strickland is a little more polished, given that he has a year of NFL experience under his belt. Plus, he’s known for his quality contributions on special teams. Still, Kennelly’s size and athleticism might be too much for the Lions to pass up, even if he’ll require some behind-the-scenes development before he’s ready for a regular-season role.
 
Taped the game but like the first 2, not sure the value in watching it. Sounds like Allen outplayed Hooker again, and the rookie WRs had a good day (along with Vaki - judging by the box score.)

Hoping Hassanein is OK.

Rapid Rewind: Allen shines again, but Lions' backups cough up halftime lead in loss to Dolphins​


Detroit — Behind a second straight strong showing by backup quarterback Kyle Allen, the Detroit Lions took a 14-7 lead at the half of Saturday’s preseason game with the Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately for the Lions, the team’s backups couldn’t hold the edge, ultimately dropping a 24-17decision at Ford Field.

Allen shook off a trio of shaky throws, all high, to lead two touchdown drives, including one shortly before the half. The veteran connected on touchdown passes of 11 and 18 yards in the second quarter to put the Lions ahead at the break.

The Dolphins took the lead early in the fourth quarter, and even though the Lions were able to tie it with a short field goal following a turnover, they never led again.

The Dolphins seized the lead for good with a six-play, 60-yard drive to open the fourth quarter and capped the scoring with a short field goal shortly after the two-minute warning.

Detroit had a chance to tie the game or take the lead with a two-point conversion. However, quarterback Hendon Hooker was intercepted after leading the offense into the red zone in the closing seconds.

Starters​

Offense: Kyle Allen, Craig Reynolds, Isaac TeSlaa, Jackson Meeks, Tom Kennedy, Shane Zylstra, Jamarco Jones, Netane Muti, Kingsley Eguakun, Kayode Awosika, Dan Skipper

Defense: Keith Cooper, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Chris Smith, Pat O’Connor, Grant Stuard, Zach Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske, Nick Whiteside, Erick Hallett, Ian Kennelly, Rock Ya-Sin

Game ball​

Allen, Meeks and TeSlaa share the game ball with the veteran quarterback posting another strong day with four completions and a touchdown to each of the rookie receivers.

Scoring summary​

First quarter

● 1:18 — A big series for Western Michigan alum Dee Eskridge, who converted a third-and-12 with a 27-yard gain on a receiver screen to beat Detroit’s blitz, followed by a 12-yard catch-and-run score on a shallow cross two plays later, snagging a ball behind him and plowing through Ya-Sin at the goal line. DOLPHINS 7, LIONS 0

Second quarter

● 7:00 — After a clunky start, Allen settled down to complete all three of his throws on a run-heavy, 10-play scoring drive. After chain-moving tosses to Meeks and TeSlaa, Meeks found paydirt on a fourth-down snap from Miami’s 11-yard line, breaking toward the sideline on a short out route, using Zystra’s veteran pattern to disrupt the coverage. LIONS 7, DOLPHINS 7

● 0:30 — Taking over after a fourth-down stop deep in their own territory, the Lions successfully executed the two-minute drill, driving 83 yards in nine plays. Allen connected with TeSlaa on fourth down to extend the series, then found the rookie receiver on a stutter-and-go that TeSlaa went up and pulled down over cornerback Cornell Armstrong in the end zone for an 18-yard score. LIONS 14, DOLPHINS 7

Third quarter

● 10:42 — Inheriting a short field after a quality punt return, the Dolphins needed just four plays to drive the remaining 36 yards for a matching score. On third-and-8, quarterback Quinn Ewers found Theo Wease Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown. The receiver ran a slant, besting the coverage of cornerback Tyson Russell. LIONS 14, DOLPHINS 14

● 4:53 — Taking over in field-goal range after a muffed punt, the Lions handed the ball off six straight snaps before Hendon Hooker dropped back on third-and-6 from the Miami 10-yard line. With nothing open, the quarterback scrambled around the left edge for a touchdown. However, the score was nullified by a holding infraction against Giovanni Manu, leaving the Lions to settle for a short Jake Bates kick. LIONS 17, DOLPHINS 14

Fourth quarter

● 12:16 — Wease continued to give the Lions’ third-string defense trouble, getting behind linebacker Ezekiel Turner on play-action for a 23-yard gain to open the series before breaking free of cornerback Allan George's coverage on a scramble drill for a go-ahead, 8-yard touchdown. DOLPHINS 21, LIONS 17

● 1:50 —After stalling out in the red zone, Miami bypassed going for Detroit's jugular. Instead of going for it on fourth down from the 3-yard line, they took the points with a 22-yard field goal. DOLPHINS 24, LIONS 17

Turnovers​

● Dophins punt returner A.J. Henning muffed a third-quarter punt, which was recovered by Lions receiver Dominic Lovett.

● Driving the Lions into the red zone in the closing seconds, Hooker’s pass was intercepted by slot cornerback Ethan Robinson, who jumped in front of the throw while blitzing.

Key stats​

● Allen misfired high on three throws and didn’t miss another one, connecting on 14-of-17 for 124 yards, two touchdowns and a 136.3 passer rating.

Playing behind the team’s third-string offensive line — a group featuring two players who signed this week — Hooker struggled. He completed just two passes for 14 yards while eating two sacks on his first seven dropbacks.

Hooker was sharper during a two-minute drive at the end of the game, completing four throws before he was intercepted.

● With Reynolds having multiple runs negated by flags, Sione Vaki ended up leading Detroit’s backfield in the first half, netting 30 yards on five carries. Jacob Saylors, handling most of the workload in the second half, gained 39 yards on 13 carries.

● Meeks led the Lions with seven receptions for 93 yards, followed by TeSlaa’s four grabs for 41 yards.

● Isaac Ukwu had an early sack taken off the board by a penalty away from the ball. However, the second-year edge rusher found his way into the backfield again for a drive-stopping sack on fourth down in the red zone.

Ezekiel Turner paced the defense with nine tackles, including one for a loss.

Injuries​

● Rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein exited after getting violently tossed to the ground during a third-quarter run play. He immediately clutched at his shoulder/pec and was taken directly to the locker room for further evaluation.

Next game​

The Lions will stay home and close out the preseason against the Houston Texans next Saturday at 1 p.m. The two teams will conduct a joint practice two days before the contest.
 
Just a couple notes from the Miami game. Allen definitely is the #2 QB as of now. He made some nice plays after sailing a couple early in the game. Getting better all the time.

Hooker was not that. He made a couple solid plays that were called back by penalties, but overall looks like someone that will end up on the practice squad (can't see him not clearing waivers).

Those penalties were an overall problem for the day, it will give Campbell & company plenty to key on in practice the this week.

And finally, #15 Grant Stuard is a fun player to watch. Special teams demon at the minimum.
 
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Leroy Hoard said:
Just a couple notes from the Miami game. Allen definitely is the #2 QB as of now. He made some nice plays after sailing a couple early in the game. Getting better all the time.

Hooker was not that. He made a couple solid plays that were called back by penalties, but overall looks like someone that will end up on the practice squad (can't see him not clearing waivers).

Those penalties were an overall problem for the day, it will give Campbell & company plenty to key on in practice the this week.

And finally, #15 Grant Stuart is a fun player to watch. Special teams demon at the minimum.
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Stuard, although you likely got autocorrected. He’s a special teamer and maybe LB4 or 5 until Rodríguez comes back in November.
 
Hey, @BobbyLayne, since you're like our own personal Paul Lukas for this thread, any explanation on why the Lions are back to two-tone uniforms in the preseason? They've worn silver pants for both home games and blue pants for the Atlanta game, after going almost entirely monochromatic last year (IIRC the only time they didn't was the TB game, which they lost. Every other one was either all blue, all white or all black).

Gotta say, after spending years lamenting the monochromatic trend across the league, I've grown to like the Lions with that look, to the point where it feels weird to see them with the color combos they've had for nearly my entire life. Not-the-same-ol'-Lions, indeed
 
ignatiusjreilly said:
Hey, @BobbyLayne, since you're like our own personal Paul Lukas for this thread, any explanation on why the Lions are back to two-tone uniforms in the preseason? They've worn silver pants for both home games and blue pants for the Atlanta game, after going almost entirely monochromatic last year (IIRC the only time they didn't was the TB game, which they lost. Every other one was either all blue, all white or all black).

Gotta say, after spending years lamenting the monochromatic trend across the league, I've grown to like the Lions with that look, to the point where it feels weird to see them with the color combos they've had for nearly my entire life. Not-the-same-ol'-Lions, indeed
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Not sure, but I agree the two-tones look sharp. I’m kind of over the blueberries and marshmallows.

I know a little about the process. Jerseys which they intend to wear for home games are selected in June. It’s decided by to Campbell & Holmes Rod Wood. But they can switch to alternates (black or throwbacks) 4 times. That’s a new rule this year, used to be 3.

As for pants / what combo they wear, that’s up to a committee of veterans. I know Alex Anzalone is one of the players but not sure who else. The equipment manager polls them the week of the game via a group text.

The league rules state the home team decides what color they’re wearing - only the Cowboys and Dolphins wear white at home - and the visiting team has to wear the opposite.

I’ll ask Justin Rogers in the SubStack chat if he has any insight. He’s pretty good about trying to find answers if he doesn’t know.
 
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Justin does not disappoint:

I haven't put much thought into it. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the folks in marketing and branding were behind the decisions, more than the players, who typically choose the pants/socks combo after Campbell/Wood choose the jersey. All the jerseys are already selected and filed with the league. Pants are decided week of.
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Zeppelin said:
I think it's going to be really hard keeping Jackson Meeks off this team.
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Beat writers keep asking how do they keep 7 WRs? ARSB, Jamo, TeSlaa, TP, Kalif, rookies Dominic Lovett & Meeks.

Do they keep one less OL, DL, or LB?

Well, 2 QBs instead of 3 would do the trick.

(2021 season and the last two playoff rosters they kept 3….2022-24 regular seasons it was 2.)

Pretty clear that 9 days before final cuts, Kyle Allen has earned the backup role. 158.3 and 136.3 passer rating the last 2 games. He’s 29 (only 2 years older than HH) so he could remain the backup until they draft another one toward the end of Goff’s extension.
 

As Kyle Allen cements lead in backup QB race, here are the paths Lions can take with Hendon Hooker​


Detroit — Let me start this column by telling you how I believed things would play out when the Detroit Lions signed veteran quarterback Kyle Allen in free agency this offseason.

I saw Allen as a means to an end, not a solution. I thought of his addition as a symbolic fire being lit under the *** of Hendon Hooker, to tap into the returning QB's competitive drive and push him to new heights more quickly. Initially, I considered Allen a minimal threat to unseat Detroit’s incumbent backup.

My stance softened a tad when I watched Allen’s film, particularly his preseason performance with the Steelers last year. Here's what I wrote following the tape study:

“The Allen that showed up last preseason, earning a roster spot as a third QB on Pittsburgh’s roster, is capable of pushing Hendon Hooker this offseason.

“Yes, it was the preseason, where the schemes are vanilla and the defensive talent is mostly backups, but Allen showed good command of the Steelers’ offense, had significantly fewer issues with the placement of his throws than he did in the two starts in 2022, and displayed toughness and mobility.”
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Still, through last month’s Hall of Fame Game, my opinion remained unchanged: This was Hooker’s job, and it was only a matter of time before he proved that.

Two weeks later, I’m tapping my chest like a defensive back who blew an assignment. My bad.

To be clear, what you’ve seen in the preseason isn’t reflective of what we’ve watched daily on the practice field this offseason. In my writings, radio interviews, and casual conversations, I confidently proclaimed Hooker was a vastly improved quarterback from last training camp. He was making better (and quicker) decisions, his accuracy was significantly better — to all depths — and he undeniably had more zip on his throws than Allen.

I stand by the assessment.

Hooker and Allen’s performances in practice, where they’ve rotated snaps with the second- and third-team offenses, have been relatively even. And, like the runner in baseball, the tie goes to the incumbent, particularly when you’ve invested multiple years into his development and have him under contract for a season beyond this one.

But the preseason has revealed a gap between the two that practices hadn’t. Allen is unquestionably superior, more comfortably executing an offensive scheme, which he explained after Saturday's game as feeling like it equips him with “answers on every play.”

It certainly seems like he has the cheat sheet memorized, and he’s acing the test. After throwing a couple of interceptions in the Hall of Fame Game, including one that was egregious, he’s posted a near-perfect quarterback rating in the past two matchups.

Hooker, meanwhile, has looked lost. The only steps he's taken are backward — with his processing, accuracy and ball security. It’s genuinely baffling to know this is the same guy who has been slinging the rock around with confidence on the practice field. Is it possible we underestimated the power of the red jersey, which prohibits the quarterback from being hit in practice?

Given the outcome to date, coach Dan Campbell didn’t shy away from stating where the competition stands with one preseason game remaining.

“If you had to go in with the (No.) two right now, ‘Who would you trust more?’ Yeah, I would trust Kyle more because he’s proven more after these two games,” Campbell said.

Which leads us to the important question: Where do the Lions go from here?

Well, there are a few ways this plays out if we assume Allen doesn’t fall flat on his face down the stretch.

First, the Lions can keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. The last time they did that to open a season was 2021, when they held on to both Tim Boyle and David Blough behind Jared Goff.

They’ve also rostered three for parts of the past two seasons, when Hooker returned from a torn ACL as a rookie in 2023, and when Teddy Bridgewater was added as an insurance policy for last year’s postseason.

It’s hardly out of the question, but keeping three means you’re cutting somewhere else. Maybe that’s a 10th offensive lineman or defensive back, or perhaps it’s a seventh receiver such as Jackson Meeks or Dominic Lovett.

Why would the Lions do this? The team has barely needed their backup to play since trading for Goff.

Well, we know general manager Brad Holmes loathes giving up on his draft picks prematurely. And given the progress shown in practice, the team could justifiably still believe in Hooker’s developmental arc.

Plus, the assurance of having a cheap backup who knows the system carries appeal when your starter is scheduled to have a nearly $70 million cap hit in 2026. Yes, that will probably be restructured, but the point is Goff is expensive.

Alternatively, the Lions can move on. Obviously, bringing Hooker back as a member of the practice squad would be an ideal compromise. However, there’s no way you can realistically bank on him clearing waivers.

It's easy to imagine a QB-needy team willing to make the low-risk, low-cost investment in a player who had some really great college tape before the knee injury. Teams weighing the flyer could be further encouraged by what the Packers were able to get out of another recently discarded former third-round pick, Malik Willis. It just takes one GM or coach to believe they can do a better job with Hooker than Detroit.

I wouldn't be surprised if multiple teams feel this way. Sure, we didn't see any quarterbacks claimed after final cuts the past two years. But surely Hooker has more upside than Kellen Mond or Ian Book did in 2023, when they were plucked off waivers.

This leads us to a final option: The Lions could see if anyone would be willing to trade for Hooker.

To be clear, you shouldn’t expect much in return. You might not get more than a seventh-rounder, maybe with conditions attached that could bump it to a sixth. If the Lions were willing to give up on Hooker’s development before his third season, you shouldn’t anticipate others banging down the door to acquire him. The reason you might be able to get anything is a team is intrigued enough that they don’t want to lose out on a claim based on waiver order.

Going back to Willis, he only cost the Packers a seventh-rounder to acquire.

Assuming the Lions surrender Hooker, either in a trade or via waivers, where does that leave the future of the backup spot? Realistically, there's nothing to say Allen, 29, couldn’t hold it down beyond this season. Unless he is forced into action as an injury replacement in 2025, it's unlikely his salary demands will sharply increase beyond the veteran minimum he commanded as a free agent this offseason.

Of course, the Lions could also take another stab at the position via the draft.

That said, finding a quarterback in Round 3 or beyond — where the team would likely be comfortable investing given Goff is under contract through 2028 — is a minefield. For every Dak Prescott or Brock Purdy, there are more than a dozen guys who amount to nothing.

From 2015-24, 56 quarterbacks have been drafted in the third round or later. Five have won 10 or more games as a starter, including Jacoby Brissett and Trevor Siemian. Hooker, who has attempted nine passes, has the seventh-best passer rating of that group.

Maybe that positional hit rate, or lack thereof, is another reason to exhibit a little more patience with Hooker, carrying him as a third QB this season.

We won't have to speculate long. Teams will trim their rosters to 53 in under two weeks, on Aug. 26. Until then, Hooker has a little more time to state his case, with next Saturday's exhibition game potentially being his final test.

I didn’t anticipate the Lions would be here with this decision, and maybe they didn’t either, but they are and must decide whether continued patience is justified.
 

Stock report: Lions' rookie receivers keep rising, backup QBs remain on opposite trajectories​


Detroit — Here are the players trending up, down or holding steady coming out of Saturday’s preseason game with the Miami Dolphins.

Stock up: Quarterback Kyle Allen​

Allen is grabbing the brass ring. The veteran joined the Lions as something of an afterthought; more a device to push Hendon Hooker than someone who could unseat the incumbent. Allen continues to make a decisive case that he’s the man who should back up Jared Goff.

It wasn’t as clean as last week’s showing, with a few misfires in the opening quarter. Still, Allen settled down to complete 14-of-17 for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He now has a passer rating of 147.9 over the past two games.

Regardless of how close things have appeared on the practice field between the two contenders for the role, if the games carry extra weight and Detroit runs a true meritocracy, there’s no debate about the winner.

Stock down: Quarterback Hendon Hooker​

If you’re looking for excuses, Hooker was playing behind a third-string offensive line that included two players who signed this week and a struggling undrafted rookie at a new position. That’s a recipe for disaster, and the QB certainly dealt with his fair share of pressure.

Still, you’d hope Hooker could make at least a little lemonade with the lemons. Instead, he ate the same number of sacks as he had completions through his first five series, before he led a reasonably effective two-minute drive that ended with an unbelievable interception.

Hooker has been a dud in all three preseason games, essentially handing the job to Allen.

Treading water: Linebacker Grant Stuard​

Stuard is a whirling dervish every time he steps on the field. He’s at his best coming downhill, with his quick first step and willingness to deliver a big hit. He played the run well against the Dolphins, including a forced fumble.

But Stuard is shakier in coverage, in part due to that same aggression. He can be prone to getting sucked too far up on play-action, and despite having plus speed, he doesn’t always have enough to recover, which also showed up on Saturday.

Stock up: Wide receiver Jackson Meeks​

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to figure out how the Lions can justify leaving Meeks off the roster. The undrafted rookie continues to be a reliable performer on the practice field and in the preseason games, pacing the offense in receiving yards for a second straight week.

Meeks runs good routes, is quicker than his poor 40-yard dash suggested, and he is an aggressive blocker in the run game. There’s long-term potential here, and it’s not worth the Lions testing whether he’ll clear waivers and make it back to the practice squad. Find the room by trimming the fat somewhere else.

Stock up: Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa​

TeSlaa’s stock has been on a bull run all offseason and that continued against the Dolphins with an excellent 18-yard touchdown grab in a contested situation.

Stock down: Defensive tackle Brodric Martin​

In his eagerness to prove he can make plays and deserves to stay on the roster, the former third-round pick committed two pre-snap penalties, one for lining up in the neutral zone and another for encroachment.

He ended up not appearing on the box after his one tackle was wiped out by one of those flags.

Stock up: Edge Isaac Ukwu​

Ukwu has flashed a few times during the preseason, but didn’t have much to show for it, recording one tackle and one QB pressure in 39 defensive snaps. His long arm rush move can be an effective, pocket-crushing weapon, but he showed a little bit of bend on a fourth-down sack in the red zone that squashed a Dolphins’ drive.

Ukwu had a second sack, but it was wiped out by a facemask penalty against Stuard away from the ball. Regardless, that should show up on film as a win for the second-year edge, bolstering his case for a roster spot that might have opened up with an injury to Ahmed Hassanein.

Stock down: Pace of play​

While not going over the merits of each of the 26 flags the officiating crew threw on Saturday, the amount of laundry made the difficult task of watching preseason football that much more daunting.

Four of those flags got picked up, but that left 22 penalties in the contest, completely upending the flow of the game. On top of that, the virtual measurement the league is implementing to replace the chain gang proved to be slower and clunkier than anticipated. Hopefully, the league irons out the wrinkles with that process, making it as efficient and popular as replay assist, which rapidly overturns incorrect calls on the field without requiring a coach's challenge.

Treading water: Edge Nate Lynn​

Lynn saw plenty of action, but couldn’t affect the quarterback the way he’s been doing in recent weeks, logging zero pressure on the pocket. Regardless, he played the run well and came up with a tackle for a loss on a pass play that forced a punt.

Stock up: Cornerback Erick Hallett​

Hallett was everywhere, delivering big hits and breaking up three passes. It was a much-needed performance for the young defensive back who has struggled to maintain some early-camp momentum that had him taking first-team reps as an injury replacement.

His biggest breakup came in the end zone in the closing minutes, forcing Miami to settle for a field goal that left the door open for a Detroit rally. On the negative side, Hallett should have snagged an interception on an underthrown deep ball in the first half, but he let it slip through his hands.

Stock down: Wide receiver Tom Kennedy​

Typically Mr. Reliable in the preseason, Kennedy wasn’t his generally sharp self. He was flagged for holding in the first quarter, negating a long Craig Reynolds run, then couldn’t snag an admittedly high ball from Allen that hit the receiver in the hands.

Kennedy finished with one catch for 8 yards. Not the type of night you’re looking for when trying to make a case you deserve a job over Meeks or seventh-round pick Dominic Lovett.

Stock up: Sione Vaki​

It was a positive that Vaki finally got on the field after a being hindered by a nagging hamstring injury. Still, he did a little something with his playing time, churning out 30 yards on five carries.

More impressively, and in line with what we know about his skill set, he forced a fumble on a punt return with a big hit. Unfortunately, Reynolds wasn’t able to jump on the loose ball.

Stock down: Young safeties​

Undrafted rookie Ian Kennelly got the start and played a ton, but didn’t do much with his opportunities, recording just two tackles and appearing out of position on multiple plays.

Loren Strickland was better, but it’s hardly a good sign that he didn’t get into the game until the second half. Remember, this is a guy who started the Hall of Fame game for the Lions.

There’s a realistic possibility the Lions don’t keep either of the young options on the 53-man roster, leaning into the versatility of veterans Rock-Ya Sin and Avonte Maddox to backstop the starting tandem of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph.

Stock up: Linebacker Ezekiel Turner​

Turner has been consistently repping with the third-team defense, but he’s also been stuffing the stat sheet. Against the Dolphins, he had a team-high nine tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage.

Add that activeness to his established special teams ability, and he’s got a better shot at making the roster as a seventh linebacker than Anthony Pittman.

Stock down: Edge Ahmed Hassanein​

Hassanein suffered a nasty-looking injury when he was violently tossed to the ground in the third quarter. After the game, coach Dan Campbell said the rookie edge rusher will likely be out a while. More medical testing will be required, but it’s easy to believe this one could land the sixth-round pick on injured reserve.

Hassanein is a player who needs every possible rep. Whether he misses a couple of weeks or the entirety of his rookie season, it will stunt his development.

Stock up: Cornerback Luq Barcoo​

Arriving in Detroit a little more than two weeks ago, Barcoo made a memorable impression in his Lions debut, breaking up two passes. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the fan base.

Fun fact: Barcoo has been on eight different NFL rosters since going undrafted out of San Diego State in 2020.
 
Leroy Hoard said:
ignatiusjreilly said:
Leroy Hoard said:
For years Lions fans have asked the question "What exactly does Rod Wood do?". Well now we know, and I for one will sleep better tonight having known.
Click to expand...
Someone has to wear the pants in that relationship
Click to expand...
Rod Wood is one of the few people where his porn name would be the same as his real name.
Click to expand...

I was at a fund raising event last year and Rod Wood was one of the guest.

Rod was a nice enough guy but was the prototype uncool uncle or should I say grandfather now who is always trying to act cool but just can't pull it off. Rod in football terms only woke up on third base and thought he hit a triple. Handling the Ford family finances does have perks.
 
Leroy Hoard said:
ignatiusjreilly said:
Leroy Hoard said:
For years Lions fans have asked the question "What exactly does Rod Wood do?". Well now we know, and I for one will sleep better tonight having known.
Click to expand...
Someone has to wear the pants in that relationship
Click to expand...
Rod Wood is one of the few people where his porn name would be the same as his real name.
Click to expand...
Reminds me of a joke from 2020: "Your pandemic alcoholic name is your first name followed by your last name."
 
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