Ahead of every Detroit Lions game in 2026, we will provide readers with an updated depth chart of the team’s roster based on what we are seeing at practices, with this installment representing where we believe the Lions roster sits heading into preseason Game 2 against the Washington Commanders.
In the Lions first presesason game against the Bengals, they rested 32 players (including 18 starters) along with another three on injury lists (PUP/NFI). However, Campbell has previously stated that the plan
is to play some Lions starters in this upcoming game, but with six practices in the last seven days, including multiple padded and a full-team scrimmage, he also noted those plans could change.
To help out your game viewing experience, here are a few keys to keep in mind when exploring this depth chart:
- Players’ numbers are listed (in parentheses)
- Projected starters are bolded
- An asterisk* identifies rookies
- Injuries are noted after a player’s name/number
- Be cautious of two players wearing the same number, including No. 2, 11, 12, 17, 42, and 43
Lions depth chart: Preseason Game 2 vs. Commanders
Quarterback (3)
- Jared Goff (16) — Will not play, per coach Dan Campbell
- Josh Dobbs (6)
- Luke Altmyer* (2)
While Altmyer has been getting the majority of QB2 reps in training camp, coach Dan Campbell said on Thursday that Dobbs will get the start—though the two will play “equal amounts” throughout the game.
Running back (7)
- Jahmyr Gibbs (0)
- Isiah Pacheco (10) — MCL strain
- Sione Vaki (33) — recent injury: eye
- Jacob Saylors (25) — recent injury: ankle
- Jabari Small (26) — recent injury: knee
- Raheem Blackshear (42)
- Trayveon Williams (47)
It’s unclear whether Gibbs will play in this game, but his primary backup, Pachecho, almost certainly won’t play due to an MCL strain. While the next three backs on the depth chart have dealt with recent injuries, all have been practicing lately and will likely be available. The only exception could be Saylors, who is only a few days removed from his ankle injury. Saylors would benefit from playing in this game, as he looks to hold onto the RB4 role with the competition is nipping at his heels.
Wide receiver (11)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (14)
- Jameson Williams (1) — recent injury: shoulder
- Isaac TeSlaa (18)
- Greg Dortch (8)
- Tay Martin (17)
- Dominic Lovett (19)
- Tom Kennedy (85)
- Cedrick Wilson (86) — recent injury: hip
- Malik Cunningham (15)
- Lucky Jackson (11)
- Tarik Black (12)
Injured list
- Kendrick Law* (88) — Injured reserve
The Lions’ first four receivers are set, but WR5/6 is wide open. Amongst the contenders, Martin and Kennedy stepped in with the starters for the few days Williams was out with a shoulder injury, while Lovett has consistently worked with the second team, and Wilson (who is also just back from a recent injury) has been praised by coaches for his versatility and reliability.
Tight end (6)
- Sam LaPorta (87) — hip
- Brock Wright (89)
- Tyler Conklin (83)
- Jackson Meeks (13)
- Thomas Gordon (82)
- Zach Horton (43)
There has been some debate over whether the Lions would roster four tight ends this season, and while there isn’t much clarity on that at this time, the recent injury to LaPorta could open the door to that possibility. Meeks looks like the current leader for the Lions TE4 role, but he’ll need to stay sharp, especially under the lights.
Offensive line (15)
Projected starters for this game
- LT Penei Sewell (58) or Swing OT Larry Borom (79)
- LG Christian Mahogany (73)
- C Juice Scruggs (70) — recent injury: soft-tissue
- RG Tate Ratledge (69)
- RT Blake Miller* (76)
If Sewell doesn’t play in this game, look for OT3/swing tackle Borom to start at left tackle, and the fallout on the second team to be Miles Frazier at left tackle and Colby Sorsdal at right tackle.
Reserve OL
- LT/RT/G Miles Frazier (71)
- LG Melvin Priestly* (74)
- C Seth McLaughlin
- RG Mason Miller (63)
- RT Colby Sorsdal (75)
- C/G Michael Niese (62)
Unlikely to play due to injury
- C Cade Mays (64) — wrist
- G Ben Bartch (78) — concussion
- OT Devin Cochran (77) — undisclosed
Injured list
- OT Giovanni Manu (59) — Non-football injury (NFI)
Outside of the starters and Borom, only Frazier seems like a lock for the roster, leaving one or two spots remaining. McLaughlin seems in line for one of those reserve roles (and maybe a starting job), but the OL9/10 roles are up for debate.
Interior defensive line (9)
- 3T Alim McNeill (54)
- DT Tyleik Williams (91)
- 3T/5T Levi Onwuzurike (95)
- DT Chris Smith (90)
- 3T Skyler Gill-Howard* (50)
- DT Ben Stille (72)
- 3T Mekhi Wingo (94) — concussion
- DT Myles Adams (96) — undisclosed
- 3T Tyre West* (52)
Beyond the starters, the Lions entered camp with a lot of questions about their depth, but things have settled as of late. Onwuzurike started camp on a pre-planned ramp-up period, but it looks like he is settling in as a top reserve, while Smith has consistently been the backup nose tackle. Rookie Gill-Howard and Stille have taken advantage of injuries to rise up the depth chart, while rookie West has flashed but still needs to show more consistency.
EDGE (8)
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (97)
- EDGE DJ Wonnum (98)
- Big End Tyler Lacy (93)
- EDGE Derrick Moore* (9) — recent injury: groin
- Big End Ahmed Hassanein (99)
- Rush End Anthony Lucas* (61)
- Rush End Eric O’Neill* (66)
- Rush End Payton Turner (92) — back
Depending on the Lions’ defensive package, either Wonnum or Lacy will likely start opposite Hutchinson. Moore and Hassanein have firmly established themselves as the primary backup for each role, but is there room for a sixth edge rusher on the roster? Lucas and O’Neill have both flashed in camp, and they’ll be doing their best in this game to make coaches consider expanding the group.
Linebacker (11)
- MIKE Jack Campbell (46)
- SAM Derrick Barnes (55)
- WILL Devin White (45)
- WILL Malcolm Rodriguez (44) — recent injury: ankle
- MIKE Jimmy Rolder* (41) — hamstring
- SAM Trevor Nowaske (53)
- WILL Damone Clark (11) — undisclosed
- MIKE Joe Bachie (35)
- WILL Erick Hunter (48)
- MIKE Troy Reeder (51)
- WILL Amen Ogbongbeniga (57)
White and Rodriguez are still battling for the starting WILL role, and each could start in different situations, while the battle amongst the reserves is deeper than expected. Nowaske looks safe, but whether Rolder starts the season on injured reserve could impact how many linebackers they keep, opening up a strong battle. Clark is now missing his second game due to injury and could be in danger of missing out on the competition, as Bachie, Hunter, Reeder, and Ogbongeniga have been balling out on special teams.
Cornerback (9)
- CB D.J. Reed (4) — recent injury: groin
- CB Rock Ya-Sin (23)
- CB Nick Whiteside (38) — recent injury: hamstring
- CB Ennis Rakestraw (2) — leg — UPDATE: “Not expected to be serious”
- NB Keith Abney* (28)
- CB/NB Roger McCreary (21)
- CB Khalil Dorsey (30)
- CB Ryan “Bump” Cooper (40)
- CB Ekow Boye-Doe (43)
It appears Rakestraw has avoided a serious injury, but his status for this game is still “TBD.” Reed and Whiteside returned from injuries this past week, which could also impact their playing time, though both look like they’re in good spots right now. As a result, look for more play on the outside from McCreary and more opportunities for Abney in the slot—which would mirror what we have seen in camp. Depending on the role they want NB/safety Christian Izien to fill, it could open the door for him or Abney to start inside.
Safety (8)
- S Avonte Maddox (29)
- S Chuck Clark (36)
- NB/S Christian Izien (27)
- S Thomas Harper (12) — undisclosed
- DB Aamaris Brown* (42)
- S Dan Jackson (17)
Injured list
- S Brian Branch (PUP) — knee
- S Kerby Joseph (PUP) — Achilles
Harper unexpectedly missed the last practice before this game, so his availability is unclear and could force the Lions’ hand in keeping Izien at safety instead of starting him at nickel. Brown and Jackson could use the extra playing time to improve their statuses on the roster, as they may be on the wrong side of the bubble right now.
Specialists (3)
- P Jack Fox
- K Jake Bates
- LS Hogan Hatten
Kick/punt specialists
- Kickoffs — Jake Bates (39)
- Holder — Jack Fox (3)
- Punt Returners — Greg Dortch (8); Tom Kennedy (85); Dominic Lovett (19)
- Kick Returners — Greg Dortch (8) and Jacob Saylors (25); Dominic Lovett (19) and Jabari Small (26)
- Gunners — Khalil Dorsey (30) and Christian Izien (27); Nick Whiteside (38) and Tay Martin (17)
- Personal protector (PP) — Sione Vaki (33); Avonte Maddox (29)
At-a-glance projected depth chart
Notes: 1) There are 13 starters listed on defense in order to illustrate who is in line for a starting role depending on the Lions’ Base vs. Subpackage formations. 2) Players listed in Red (with a white background) are currently dealing with an injury in training camp (listed above) and may not play in this game.
