With Tuesday’s deadline to reduce the roster from 90 to 53 players quickly approaching, Friday night was an opportunity for backups and players on the roster bubble to make one final positive impression on Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.
“I mean, to me, they all need to show up,” Campbell remarked earlier this week. “I think a lot of guys need to show up for us, and we’ll be looking for a lot of guys that we consider depth players, spot starters, guys fighting for jobs, practise squad spots, so I think you’re looking for it all.” We need everyone to pitch in.”
While Friday was mostly about getting some excellent assessment work in, gaining a victory is always wonderful, and the Lions ended the preseason with a 2-1 record after beating Carolina 26-17.
Touchdowns by running back Craig Reynolds (5-yard run) and wide receiver Antoine Green (70-yard catch), along with two Riley Patterson field goals (25, 27), provided Detroit with all the points they needed as their defence forced three turnovers (Chase Lucas interception, Brady Breeze fumble recovery, and Steven Gilmore pick six) as they cruised to victory.
There were a couple noteworthy performances that might either cement a roster position or give Holmes and Campbell plenty to speak about in the coming days.
Among them were the following:
– Khalil Dorsey, a second-year cornerback, started at one of the outside cornerback positions and ended with five tackles, including a forced fumble that resulted to a Lions field goal just before halftime. He also contributed on special teams, returning a 62-yard kickoff.
– Chase Lucas, a second-year cornerback, has had a strong camp and sticks out on special teams. He made a special teams tackle, three passes defensed, and a diving interception in Detroit’s end zone late in the first half that prevented Carolina from scoring. The last two cornerback positions may be difficult to fill.
– Gilmore, an undrafted rookie, made five stops, four passes defended, and an 11-yard pick-six late in the fourth quarter to help Detroit win.
Reynolds played the whole first half and made many impressive rushes, including a 5-yard score. On 11 carries, he gained 41 yards. He also had one catch for five yards. He may have clinched the third running back position after David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
– Green, a seventh-round rookie, is vying for one of the remaining wide receiver slots on the roster. His 70-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter demonstrated his speed and ability to make plays. He concluded the game with three receptions for 97 yards and a 32-yard kickoff return.
– Undrafted rookie wide receiver Dylan Drummond has been a terrific story throughout camp, and he finished strong with some very beautiful receptions for 46 yards on five catches.
After just three practises with Detroit, veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater started last week’s preseason game against Jacksonville. He was just 5-for-11 for 34 yards in the game and seemed rusty.
It was a whole different tale. Friday in Carolina, after another week of work with Ben Johnson’s offence. Bridgewater seemed to be more at ease and assured. His timing with his receivers seemed to be much better, as he completed the game completing 13 of his 22 throw attempts for 178 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 100.2.
Quarterback Nate Sudfeld was injured on his first drive and had to leave the game. On a third-down play, he took an ugly tumble near the sideline while scrambling from pressure and was taken to the locker room from the Lions sideline.
Isaiah Buggs, a veteran defensive lineman, exited the game in the third quarter after making a tackle and did not return. Julian Okwara, a backup edge rusher, also left the game and did not return.
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