Information Sourced From: Pro Football Reference

Blake Miller Misses First Game Since Before High School

Per the Lions injury report, Blake Miller will miss the Lions matchup in Buffalo on Thursday Night Football. This is unfortunate for many reasons, the biggest of which being that Miller held the highest rookie offensive linemen PFF grades in week one. So what does this mean for the Lions? Let’s dig in.

Less Skill, But Depth Paying Off

I won’t try to wow you and state that the Lions depth is going to be perfect. However, the Lions commitment to depth in the offseason is paying off early this year. This offseason Ben Bartch, Larry Borom, and Juice Scruggs were all added to the roster. Bartch and Scruggs both played very well on Sunday, and will settle back into their roles for this week with the loss of Mahogany as well (for this week). Larry Borom joins the replacements with plenty of NFL starting experience, Pro Football Reference states that he has started a whopping 38 games in his career. And while he hasn’t been perfect, this is his first offseason with offensive line coach Hank Fraley who has shown the ability to get the most out of his players.

Miller’s Injury: Not as Bad as It Looks?

It has been widely reported that Miller didn’t feel the injury until the adrenaline wore off last game, and that it doesn’t appear to be serious. The hope would be that Miller can swing back in after the time off following the Thursday night game, and the offensive line can work towards being back in the starting lineup. Only time will tell on that front.

Let’s Not Doom the Season Before It Begins

We all could start yelling about injuries, how the Lions are cursed, and how this is the same old Lions. However, the Lions did a ton to offset injuries this offseason, and build depth. The fact that we have a veteran tackle on the roster who has been with us all offseason with 38 starts under his belt speaks to that. No one wants to see a rookie first rounder go down. However, let’s not doom this season before it begins.

Information Sourced From: Pro Football Reference

Players with an Injury Designation: 1 - Christian Izien - Groin - Questionable

Team Stats

Offensive Total Yards: 369
Passing Yards: 204
Rushing Yards: 165
Offensive Turnovers Created: 1

Defensive Total Yards Allowed: 469
Passing Yard Allowed: 378
Rushing Yards Allowed: 91
Defensive Turnovers Created: 3

Lions Penalties: 8
Lions Penalty Yards: 61
Saint Penalties: 6
Saints Penalty Yards: 53

Player Stats (Not inclusive of ALL players)

Jared Goff Stat: 26 completion, 39 attempts, completion rate of 66.7%, 206 yards, 2 touchdowns

Jahmyr Gibbs: 29 attempts, 156 yards, 5.4 yards per attempt, 2 Touchdowns, 14 first downs

Amon-Ra Saint Brown: 14 targets, 10 receptions, 67 yards, 6.7 yard per reception, 2 Touchdowns, 4 first downs

Sam LaPorta: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 9.6 yards per reception, 48 yards

Jameson Williams: 9 targets, 4 receptions, 11.3 yards per reception, 45 yards

Jack Campbell: 7 combined tackles, 5 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss

Chuck Clark: 1 interception, 1 pass deflected, 3 tackles, 2 solo tackles, 1 QB Hit

Aidan Hutchinson: 2 sacks, 5 tackles, 4 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 QB hits

Avonte Maddox: 2 passes deflected, 7 tackles, 4 solo tackles

Alim McNeil: 1 sack, 1 solo tackle, 1 tackle for loss

DJ Reed: 10 tackles, 7 solo tackles

Malcolm Rodriguez: 4 tackles, 2 solo

Devin White: 3 tackles, 1 solo

DJ Wonnum: 1 pass deflected, 1 fumble recovery, 3 tackles, 1 solo tackle

Rock Ya-Sin: 7 tackles, 7 solo tackles

Keith Abney: 2 tackles, 2 solo tackles

Derrick Barnes: 1 interception, 1 interception return for 3 yards, 2 passes deflected, 6 tackles, 3 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss

Roger McCreary: 1 forced fumble, 4 tackles, 4 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss

Thomas Harper: 1 pass deflected, 3 tackles, 3 solo tackles

Erick O’Neill 3 tackles, 2 solo tackles

Jake Bates: 4/4 extra points, 1 field goal attempt, 1 field goal made

Jack Fox: 7 punts, 336 yards, 56 yard long punt

The Lions home opener was a story of two games. Up and Down would be the understatement of the century. However, I will lean into a couple of quotes “a win is a win” and “week one is fools gold” (second quote from Chris of Detroit Lions Podcast). We will not know what the Lions truly are until next week, and how they respond to this week. In the meantime let’s dig in.

The Lions Open Dominant

There is no question about it, the Lions opened in dominant fashion, going up 21-0 in the 3rd after shutting out the Saints in the 1st half. The Lions offense looked rusty, to be clear. Jameson Williams found himself in the right place at the right time multiple times only to drop the ball. The Lions did manage one long, sustained drive. However they were the beneficiaries of the defense making plays and giving them short fields. I guess that is what a team sport is all about, units leaning on each other. However, it would have been nice to see the Lions offense show more spark than that. To be clear, I think the offense looked better than John Morton’s, but just simply not good enough.

The Saints Come Racing Back

Then, out of nowhere, the Saints came racing back scoring 14 points in the third quarter and 10 in the 4th. It’s hard to tell if this truly was adjustments by the Saints, the Lions defense falling off, or a combination of the two. However, I tend to lean on the latter. The Chris Olave and Tyler Shough connection in this game bloomed, and the Lions struggled to stop it. Period. Yes, the Saints made plays to other players. However, Olave was like 7-11, always open (and Shough was shopping).

Overtime In Week One

To be clear, the Lions could have prevented this if they had executed better. That is the in and out of it.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Good? The offense looked generally better than it did under John Morton to me, but they just lacked in execution as I pointed out above. You know, the thing that coach Dan Campbell harps on week in week out? They need to fix it, and now. They are on a short week against a tough team. The defense looked good, but they can’t be expected to hold that much of the burden. The offense needs long sustained drives to keep the defense from running out of steam, as we saw them do.

The Bad? The defense, when they were gassed, looked absolutely terrible in the secondary. The Saints tore them up and down the field. The defense needs to find a way to act more sustainably themselves, and switch up their concepts. They may need to add another veteran safety, corner, or both. Being gassed was part of it, but I tend to think the other part was the defense not executing.

The Ugly? The Ugly was how the Lions let things slip so quickly. Within a quarter then went from up 21-0 to down a score. They have to hold up better than that. That is in all three phases of the game and the coaching. They have to drain the clock better. Jamo has to catch the ball. Coverage has to be tighter. Plays have to be better disguised. Pass Blocking has to hold up better. The Lions were rustier than that old wrench in my toolbox.

Let Us Not Forget, A Win is a Win

At the end of the year, no one cares if your wins are pretty. If every player showed up. So let’s stop being every other year’s Lions fans and freaking out in week one. Once again, week one is fools gold. Teams will win this week that wont win again for 2-3 more weeks. On the other hand, teams that lose this week will go deep into the playoffs. We can overreact and freak out or we can wait, enjoy the win, and raise a glass to the Saints for having the cojones to go for two. Personally, I will choose the latter.

The Lions announced that they have cut DT Levi Onwuzurike this afternoon via their official account on X. Now the Lions have made surprising cuts before in what is commonly referred to as roster gymnastics. The question is, is this roster gymnastics, or the end of the road for an up and down defensive tackle? Levi has looked at times like a quality rotational piece and sometimes like a practice squad player. He has dealt with spinal fusion surgery and come back, definitely a gritty move, but which is it?

I personally suspect this is roster gymnastics. Levi didn’t look especially good in camp this year. Furthermore, there may be contractual obligations that the Lions can shirk by moving Levi to the practice squad. The Lions aren’t exactly light at DT, so perhaps it is worth the risk to save some money. The Lions are currently very tight in cap space, and that may play a part too.

We won’t really know until the next hours and days play out. At the end of the day, this is part of the fun of the regular season. The ebb and flow of the roster. If it is the end for Levi, then I wish him well. Coming back from spinal fusion and looking good afterwards is no small feat, and no one can suggest Levi didn’t give it his all.

Information Sourced From: Lions Assistant Coaches Press Conference, PFF

The Lions open their season at home this year, and I can’t think of a more fun place to be. Since the Lions began winning under Dan Campbell, Ford Field has had an amazing atmosphere. However, the atmosphere alone will not guide the Lions to victory. In a recent video I went over the keys to victory, today I will review three players who may make or break the Lions season opener against the Saints. Let’s dig in!

I Wouldn’t Call Him Washed Up

A lot of people might call Avante Maddox “washed up” or a “ok backup” but I wouldn’t use either of those terms and neither would Lions’ assistant head coach and safeties coach Jim O’Neal. To quote O’Neal directly Maddox is “a pretty damn good safety”, and I would agree with him wholeheartedly. He certainly isn’t Kirby Joseph or Brian Branch, but he is a quality starter in this league. Maddox will have to answer the call, and play without rust in the Lions season opener to help ensure victory. I, for one, expect that he will do so.

Don’t take my word for it. Swing on over to Pro Football Focus (linked above) and check out his grading for last year. Pressed into service, Maddox ended the year with a 79.1 overall PFF grade, good for 10th out of all safeties. He was also credited with 1 interception and 3 pass breakups. Sure, he wasn’t a full time starter for all of last year. However, those stats are nothing to sneeze at.

Juice Scruggs, the Center of the Universe (or Offensive Line)

Now, I don’t have a lot of stats to throw around with Scruggs. However, I have read from multiple good sources (including Detroit Lions Podcast) that some of Scruggs best time in the NFL has been played at center, and without a lot of help around him. I’m not saying he has the best guards in the league. Ratledge is great, but hasn’t reached the elite tier yet. Given that there is still uncertainty on who will play at left guard (Mahogany, Bartch… or both), it’s not the perfect situation. However, he does have two book end tackles, and a great offensive line coach to help him. Scruggs is yet another player that will have to answer the call, and play well, for the Lions to lock in a victory.

Isaac TeSlaa - Leaping and Learning

Hear me out on this one. I know that we have two top tier, premier wide receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. That is a fact that can’t be denied. However, during camp this summer TeSlaa seemed less productive than normal. Sure, he made his big plays, but something was missing. Coach Campbell did state midway through camp that they had “put a lot on his plate” and referenced areas of growth they were challenging TeSlaa in. Perhaps he was settling into this. Nonetheless, TeSlaa’s ability to jump and high point the ball as well as box out opposing defensive backs with his big frame is a piece this offense relies on. The offense will need to continue to rely on to land a victory in their first game.

There’s No Guarantees

I often get very optimistic with my writing. I love the Lions, and have for nearly 20 years now. However there are no guarantees in the NFL. The Saints are coming off of a losing season, but they had momentum at the end of their season. Things are starting to come together. The Lions can’t afford to be caught off guard by this team. Dropping game one would be a bad look not only for the team, but for many of the changes that Campbell has implemented this offseason. We can hope though, and cheer, and sing “Forward Down the Field”. With any luck, our Lions will march off victorious and begin the season on the right foot.

Information Sourced From: Detroit Lions on YouTube

A presser on the holiday has to be one of the less glamorous tasks as an NFL coach, but you wouldn’t have known it by Dan Campbell’s presser today. He was excited, and who can blame him. We are preparing for week one! Given Lions news has been light as we prepare for the season. Let’s dig into what was said, and what wasn’t said in his presser!

Excitement and Acknowledgement 

Dan started simply acknowledging how exciting this first week is. He also acknowledged the strengths of the Saints, and showed respect towards head coach Kellen Moore. A lot of people who follow football have suggested the Saints may be better this year, and I am one of them. The Lions certainly aren't getting ahead of themselves, and are taking the Saints seriously.

You Don’t Know Who You Are Until Week 5

Coach Campbell made it a point to acknowledge that you often don’t know who your team is until week five. He pointed to week one of the season in Green Bay last year as a point where they realized they had things they needed to fix. He specifically called out how they feel more prepared and settled in on the offensive line this year, and acknowledged how having Glasgow at Center and Ratledge at guard was felt given Glasgow was a guard normally, and Ratledge was a rookie.

The Petzing and Goff Brain Trust

Coach Campbell pointed out that Petzing and Goff are bringing the best out in each other, and there is good give and take between them. Coach Campbell thinks this is good as it helps both of them grow. This reminds me personally a lot of what we heard about with Ben Johnson and not so much with John Morton. While we won’t know anything until we see the offense perform, this sounds like a positive sign. 

Steady Wonnum, O’Neil Defies Odds

Coach stated that DJ Wonnum has been consistent and steady, has “some slipperiness”. Coach called out that he feels that Wonnum will be a great compliment to Aiden Hutchinson. To directly quote Coach “He’s a lunch pail guy [who] will give everything he’s got, and he plays a smart brand of football’. Coach Campbell also talked up Eric O’Neil doing something good every day in camp. He acknowledged that he was initially on the outside looking in and “earned his right” to be on the 53 man roster.

RB2 is by committee

Coach Campbell Saylors and Vaki will be by committee at RB2. He made it a point to both provide value in the run game and on special teams. While we all saw more of Saylors in the preseason, Coach Campbell stated that they saw a lot of good out of Vaki in camp. He specifically mentioned pass catching and blocking. It’s good to know we are not going into week one without three capable running backs.

Thomas Harper Returns to Practice

At the end of his presser, Coach Campbell stated Thomas Harper would be back at practice today, and they expect him back tomorrow as well. He stated they expected he will be ready to play week one.

Final Note

Earlier on a question was asked that alluded to roster moves, tiptoeing around the 2 open roster spots on the Lions roster. Coach Campbell loosely joked that they know what they are going to do, and left it at that. Not a lot to go on there, but Brad and Dan have a plan.

It’s an exciting time of year! Stick with us for more news and analysis at Silver and Blues!

Information Sourced From: Detroit Lions on X

The Lions announced this afternoon (on their official X account) that Isiah Pacheco has been placed on injured reserve. Pachecho had been recovering from a sprained PCL, and then started having issues with his back. Dan Campbell didn’t seem to think it was long term, and so until I hear otherwise I will consider it short term, meaning he can return in week 5. While this is certainly a let down for certain fans who were hoping to see that dominant power piece of the Lions running game at least replaced by Pacheco, it makes a whole lot of sense in the context of the rest of the Detroit Lions final 53 man roster.

Initially the Lions kept 5 running backs, to the surprise of pretty much everyone in the Lions community, Lions reporters, and anyone I talked to. However, now that Pachecho has needed to be moved to IR, and Tyler Conklin has returned, things make a bit more sense. Conklin (while his play may have been a bit flat) adds additional needed depth at TE given how critical it is to the Lions offense. Furthermore 4 running backs is much more in line with what I think most people may have thought.

Final Note: It would not surprise me to see Kareem Hunt come back after his previously reported visit, and perhaps even sign with the team to provide that power element.

Information Sourced From: Detroit Lions Official Website

The Lions 53 man roster is officially up on detroitlions.com and it is surprising to say the least. Some of the surprises include the Lions keeping only 4 wide receivers, not including amongst them anyone who would be considered a true punt returner, keeping 5 running backs, and keeping Eric O’Neill. Furthermore, they entered no waiver claims, and have slowly been filling out their practice squad. So the next logical question then becomes…

Is This the Lions Final 53 Man Roster?

I’ll admit I took some long shots and liberties in my final 53 man roster prediction. Even some very long shots (keeping Altmyer as backup, and keeping Cunningham as an emergency QB/WR). However, I didn’t expect the roster to look anything like this. Lots of Lions fans are freaking out about the configuration of the roster. However, I bring you back to the same freakout sessions when we didn’t have a backup quarterback or a kicker in previous years and that has always led to…

Brad Has a Plan

No matter if we like it as fans or not, Brad has a plan. I highly doubt that Jabari Small is going to end up on the final roster. I highly doubt that the Lions will roll into the season with their current wide receiver room or their tight end room. The reality is though, he could. Rumors have Thomas Gordon (TE) and Tom Kennedy (WR) making the practice squad. Either of these players could be elevated on game day and called upon to play. Immediately. At the end of the day we simply don’t know, but we do know that Brad has a plan.

Greg Dortch

As of the writing of this article, rumor has it the Buffalo Bills are signing Greg Dortch to their practice squad. This has to be the most surprising move of all to me. By all accounts Dortch did very well in camp. Perhaps they are simply looking to do something different with the offense. Perhaps Dortch took exception with not being on the initial 53 man rosters, we likely will never know.

I Don’t Expect the Lions are Done

I know they didn’t claim anyone off of waivers, but they can still sign any of these (now unrestricted) free agents at any time. The Lions front office is not going to push anything, they are going to finish their process and move forward. Given what Brad and Dan have delivered since they have come to town, I think they deserve a little bit of space to do their thing. We simply need to be patient and see how it all hashes out.

Information Sourced From: Nolan Bianchi, Tom Pelissero (2)

News around the Lions initial 53 man roster has been slow. Let’s dig in on some of the key cuts/waives that have happened thus far and how they may impact the Lions roster moving forward!

Greg Dortch Cut

Greg Dortch has been cut from the Lions roster. Now, if you read around, literally every person who is covering the Lions is surprised by this move. All words out of camp were about how shifty he is and how well he acclimated with Goff. A worthy Kalif Raymond successor. I expect this is a part of roster gymnastics, they are likely cutting Dortch, to allow the roster to be established, to then place players on IR to free up spots, to then re-sign Dortch. I fully expect him back.

Nick Whiteside, Pride of SVSU, Cut

This one really caught me off guard. By all accounts Nick Whiteside has played well. I suppose this could be a second case of roster gymnastics, but for some reason it doesn’t feel like it. Perhaps the Lions will try to stash him on the practice squad? Given that they have some questions in the defensive back room, I can’t help but scratch my head at this one. And I really doubt he makes it to the practice squad in the first place, unless of course they have a “gentlemans agreement”.

Lions Waive Luke Altmyer

Before preseason game 3, I would have been surprised by this move (see my 53 man roster prediction from prior to preseason game 3). However, Dobbs really turned in a good performance in game 3 and moved himself firmly ahead of Altmyer. Conversely Altmyer showed why it can be concerning to have a rookie as a backup, with long read times and costly turnovers. The word from Tom Pelissero that the Lions want him back on their practice squad should be no surprise though: There is something there, it just needs to continue to develop.

It’s gonna be a wild 48 hours, stay with Silver & Blues for Lions news and analysis as we march towards the Lions final 53 man roster being established.

Trying something new on Silver & Blues, a reader poll. Click the button below to access the poll and tell me who you think will take the game in Lions @ Colts (or does it really matter?).

Lions @ Colts Poll on Google Forms

None the less the regular season is almost here! 53 man roster cutdowns are within the next 36 hours! It should prove to be a busy Lions weekend!