DETROIT -- The Lions open the 2026 NFL regular season against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. Sept. 13 at Ford Field. But first, they play one more preseason game (Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts) and then must cut their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the team? Which positions have tough decisions on deck? And where might the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
Despite a down season in which Detroit missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022, the Lions (9-8) still finished with a winning record for the fourth consecutive campaign in 2025. But for coach Dan Campbell and an organization with championship aspirations, that wasn't good enough.
One of the biggest questions coming out of training camp is who will begin the season as Detroit's starting center after veteran Cade Mays suffered a wrist injury. There are also some lingering concerns within the secondary, as safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) are unlikely to be back ahead of Week 1. However, the offense still has the potential to be one of the most explosive units in the league under first-year coordinator Drew Petzing.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the Lions.
Quarterbacks (2)
After veteran Teddy Bridgewater unexpectedly retired during training camp, the Lions had to pivot by signing Dobbs to play behind Goff. Undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer was having a solid camp, but the Lions will likely keep him around for the practice squad.
Running backs (4)
Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors
Gibbs is gearing up for a big season in which he is projected to take the bulk of the snaps as the team's unquestioned RB1, but he will have no shortage of talent around him. Former All-UFL performer Saylors has also turned heads throughout the preseason and training camp.
Wide receivers (5)
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett
Injured reserve: WR Kendrick Law
To no surprise, St. Brown and Williams have made big plays throughout training camp, but the veteran Dortch has been impressive on offense and special teams. Campbell has been pleased with watching him and said he has been "even better than I thought" while reuniting with new OC Petzing, after their days with the Arizona Cardinals.
Tight ends (3)
Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin
Following a season-ending back injury, LaPorta has returned to full strength as he enters Year 4, which will undoubtedly boost the offense. However, Wright has also earned the trust of Petzing and could benefit from more opportunities behind LaPorta. Petzing described Wright as "arguably one of the most reliable pros in this organization just in terms of the role he has for us as an offense."
Offensive linemen (9)
Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Seth McLaughlin, Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier, Ben Bartch, Juice Scruggs
Non-Football Injury list: Giovanni Manu
Former Panthers center Mays is expected to miss 8 eight to 10 weeks and will likely start the season on injured reserve. Mays was targeted by Detroit this offseason as an unrestricted free agent to help the unit after the Lions' offensive line struggled in 2025. Without Mays, the Lions continued to experimented with Scruggs, McLaughlin and Michael Niese at center as they search for the best fit at the position.
Defensive linemen/Edge rushers (10)
Alim McNeill, Tyler Lacy, Tyleik Williams, Skyler Gill-Howard, Levi Onwuzurike, Chris Smith, Aidan Hutchinson, Derrick Moore, DJ Wonnum, Ahmed Hassanein
Lacy is entering his second season with the Lions. He has emerged as a standout throughout training camp and is projected to be a starter. Campbell described Lacy and Onwuzurike as "two of our most powerful D-linemen that we have."
"You talk about 'knock back and they are hard to move," Campbell said on Aug. 16.
Linebackers (6)
Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, Trevor Nowaske, Devin White, Damone Clark
Jimmy Rolder, a fourth-round selection out of Michigan, was off to a promising start throughout the offseason training program but will likely begin the season on injured reserve after suffering a leg injury early in training camp. The Lions signed free agent linebacker White to add depth after Rolder's injury and White has pushed hard for a starting spot.
Cornerbacks (8)
D.J. Reed, Nick Whiteside, Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Roger McCreary, Khalil Dorsey, Keith Abney II, Christian Izien
The Lions released Terrion Arnold, a first-round pick in 2024, after he was arrested on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping in June. Detroit will now be counting on Reed and Ya-Sin to anchor the secondary after Arnold's release, which left the Lions thin at the cornerback spot.
Safeties (3)
Avonte Maddox, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper
Both Joseph and Branch will likely begin the 2026 season on injured reserve, while Clark and Maddox are expected to start in Week 1 after getting the bulk of the first-team reps throughout camp. The Lions won't rush back Joseph and Branch until they're fully healthy, but there is a chance that they could return for practices later in training camp or possibly early September.
Special teams (3)
Jake Bates (K), Jack Fox (P), Hogan Hatten (LS)
This trio has become a mainstay in Detroit for three straight seasons. No one should be surprised by this unit. Fox received First-Team AP All-Pro honors in 2024.
