Detroit Lions start 53-man roster cuts ahead of season opener
The Lions have until 6 p.m. Sunday to trim their 91-man roster, with coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes reviewing preseason performances to decide on key positions.
The Detroit Lions are beginning the process of reducing their roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players, with a deadline of 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. Coach Dan Campbell said he will review the preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts and meet with general manager Brad Holmes early Sunday to finalize decisions. Campbell noted that the staff had discussed preliminary plans on Thursday and identified several spots that still need evaluation.
Among the roster questions are the choice for the fifth wide-receiver slot, with Tay Martin, Lucky Jackson and Tom Kennedy in contention, and how to handle a surplus of defensive linemen. The team released veteran linebacker Troy Reeder, who had been competing for a backup role, as the first known cut of the day.
The Lions also evaluated running back Jacob Saylors, who posted 100 yards on 17 carries in the preseason finale and has earned the confidence of Campbell as the primary backup to starter Jahmyr Gibbs. Quarterback Josh Dobbs praised Saylors for his speed and playmaking ability.
Elsewhere in the league, former Lions draft pick Aaron Donald signed a one-year, $20 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Rams, while the NFL placed Packers running back Josh Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list pending an investigation. These developments add context to the Lions’ upcoming schedule, which begins with a Week 1 game against the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 13 at Ford Field.