Lions secure preseason win over Colts as roster hopefuls make their case

Detroit beat the Indianapolis Colts 25-16 in the preseason finale at Lucas Oil Stadium, but the result mattered less than the performances of players fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. Running back Jacob Saylors carried the ball 17 times for 100 yards, accounting for nearly half of Detroit's offensive plays in the first half and solidifying his place on the final roster.

"Saylors is making a lot of runs," head coach Dan Campbell said during the halftime interview. Quarterback competition also intensified. Luke Altmyer threw an early interception but rebounded with a 75-yard drive that ended in a one-yard touchdown run by Trayveon Williams. Josh Dobbs, the veteran contender, completed 12 of 14 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, despite a miscue on the opening drive. Both quarterbacks showed the ability to recover from mistakes, leaving the backup decision open. Wide receiver Lucky Jackson emerged as a strong candidate for the lower receiver slots, catching five passes for 94 yards, including a one-handed 35-yard grab that set up a scoring opportunity. Defensively, rookie edge rusher Skyler Gill-Howard recorded a sack on Anthony Richardson, while fellow linemen Eric O’Neill and Ahmed Hassanein added pressures and quarterback hits, highlighting depth on the line. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw made a key interception after earlier allowing two completions that led to Indianapolis’s only touchdown, improving his prospects amid secondary injuries. The performances will influence the final roster cuts scheduled for the next day.