DETROIT — Just like that, the Detroit Lions are about to play another game today.
Detroit (7-4) hosts the Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) in its annual Thanksgiving classic from Ford Field. And even with the short week, there are plenty of updates, injuries and activations to track in this week’s depth chart projection.
Quarterbacks
1. Jared Goff
2. Kyle Allen
Jared Goff knows the challenge ahead. Green Bay’s defense plays well within its scheme and does a great job of keeping everything in front of them and making every yard gained a battle.
Goff completed 31 passes in the Week 1 loss. But the quarterback threw for only 225 yards. He and the Lions know there is pressure on the playmakers to break tackles and add even more after the catch.
Running backs
1. Jahmyr Gibbs
2. David Montgomery
3. Jacob Saylors
4. Sione Vaki
Questionable: Sione Vaki (ankle/thumb)
The Lions waived Craig Reynolds on Wednesday. But with Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors repping ahead of him while working through their own injuries, they had clearly passed him on the depth chart.
Jahmyr Gibbs will continue to power this unit and the offense after his ridiculous three-game stretch.
Wide receivers
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown
2. Jameson Williams
3. Isaac TeSlaa
4. Dominic Lovett
5. Tom Kennedy
Out: Kalif Raymond (ankle)
Questionable: Isaac TeSlaa (hand)
Jameson Williams is coming off his second game of the season without a reception. He’s always going to be a boom or bust type player, but that can’t happen. Williams needs the ball, and with the Lions pleading for YAC, it would be wise to feed him.
Also, it’s another week of Isaac TeSlaa playing 20-plus snaps and the Lions saying the ball is going to start coming his way. TeSlaa has only one catch across the last six games despite playing at least 20 offensive snaps in four of those. But with Kalif Raymond out, there should be even more chances, so long as his new hand injury isn’t serious.
TeSlaa practiced in a limited capacity all week, and that’s a good sign, even if for a walkthrough. Tom Kennedy was signed to boost the depth and could play a role in returning kickoffs and punts.
Tight ends
1. Ross Dwelley
2. Anthony Firkser
3. Zach Horton (elevation)
Out: Brock Wright (neck)
Expect to see a lot of heavy-set and receiver-heavy looks against the Packers. Brock Wright is out. Sam LaPorta is likely done for the season. And it’s hard to imagine the Lions rolling with Ross Dwelley, Zach Horton or Anthony Firkser in 40-plus snaps like they did last week with Wright.
Horton has been with the team since the spring program and gets his first shot on the active roster to boost the tight end depth.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Taylor Decker, LG Kayode Awosika, C Trystan Colon, RG Tate Ratledge, RT Penei Sewell
Reserves: OT Dan Skipper, OL Michael Niese, OL Kingsley Eguakun (elevation), OL Miles Frazier
Out: Graham Glasgow (knee)
Questionable: Taylor Decker (shoulder), Penei Sewell (ankle), Tate Ratledge (knee), Miles Frazier (knee)
Frank Ragnow is coming back … but not for this game. In fact, sorry to bring some bad news right after that high, because Graham Glasgow is out for Thanksgiving due to a knee injury.
Expect to see Trystan Colon take over at center. The rest should remain the same, as Taylor Decker, Tate Ratledge and Penei Sewell were also questionable this past Sunday but managed to play again. Kayode Awosika has a couple of starts under his belt. It hasn’t been great in pass protection, and his seat is likely hot with Ragnow’s return. But Detroit needs him to be better against a strong Packers front in the meantime.
Miles Frazier feels unlikely to play or crack the lineup anytime soon. But it’s a great sign to see him activated. The Lions hope he has some Christian Mahogany in him, with the ability to miss camp and the preseason but still hit the ground running.
Defensive line
Starters: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DL Alim McNeill, DT D.J. Reader, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
Reserves: EDGE Marcus Davenport, DT Tyleik Williams, DL Roy Lopez, DL Tyler Lacy, DL Mekhi Wingo, EDGE Tyrus Wheat
Out: Josh Paschal (back)
Questionable: Marcus Davenport (shoulder)
It would be a pretty big boost to get Davenport back. Yes, he’s been hard to count on, with only four games played in two years. But if the Lions work him back into the rotation, they could have an even stronger defensive front.
Alim McNeill has been playing a ton of snaps on the outside in recent weeks. Tyleik Williams and Roy Lopez have seen increased work next to D.J. Reader as a result. Finding a balance to keep McNeill there in certain looks, while giving a handful to Davenport and keeping the former back on the inside, could be a wise and impactful move.
It’s time to stop looking at Davenport as a starter. He should be rotated with Al-Quadin Muhammad, Tyler Lacy and McNeill in those looks. He has the ability to make noise even in a reduced role.
Linebackers
Starters: (WILL) Alex Anzalone, (MIKE) Jack Campbell and (SAM) Derrick Barnes
Reserves: Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, Malcolm Rodriguez
The top three linebackers continue to carry a heavy workload for this defense. It’ll be interesting to see if they play a touch more nickel with the secondary getting healthy. But those three are one of the main strengths of this team, and the Lions would be wise to continue counting on them.
Malcolm Rodriguez played four defensive snaps in his first game back. Jack Campbell played all 82 snaps, and Alex Anzalone (79) and Derrick Barnes (66) were right up there among the defensive snap leaders.
Secondary
Starters: CB D.J. Reed, CB Rock Ya-Sin S Brian Branch, S Thomas Harper, Slot CB Amik Robertson
Reserves: CB Terrion Arnold, CB Khalil Dorsey, S Daniel Thomas, DB Avonte Maddox
Out: Kerby Joseph (knee)
Questionable: Terrion Arnold (concussion)
I could see Terrion Arnold being active. The Lions have said it’s possible, and he’s cleared some hurdles. But they might be wise to ease him back into the rotation, as they continue to rotate Amik Robertson, D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin at the cornerback spots. Reed should see even more work this time around, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Robertson continue to split his time.
It’s another week of Thomas Harper starting for Kerby Joseph. He had some tough moments in Sunday’s OT win, but managed to notch a second-half interception. Brian Branch is off the injury report and good to go.
Special teams
K Jake Bates
P Jack Fox
LS Hogan Hatten
KR Jacob Saylors, Tom Kennedy
PR Tom Kennedy
Look for Kennedy to help fill the Raymond void with Saylors on kickoffs, and then likely solo on punts.