2024 Detroit Lions updated depth chart: Preseason Game 2 at Chiefs

The Detroit Lions are in Kansas City on Saturday as they take on the Chiefs in their second preseason game of the 2024 season. The Lions have been hit by the injury bug of late and made several roster moves to keep healthy bodies in training camp. If you missed any of those transactions or want a look at where they fit in on the roster, we’ve provided all the updates in our latest look at the Lions’ depth chart.

In their first preseason game (against the New York Giants) the Lions rested 27 players, plus an additional four injured players—including Emmanuel Moseley and John Cominsky, (who are likely headed for injured reserve at cutdowns), as well as DJ Reader (PUP), and Christian Mahogany (NFI)—but due to injury, there could be a few defenders that will be called upon in this game.

“There could be a couple of guys,” coach Dan Campbell said of starters needing to play snaps in Kansas City. “But (a couple) at most, tentatively, right now. We may get a couple of D-linemen going here, against the Chiefs, that didn’t play last week. Our offense is probably pretty set. So, the long and short of it: Maybe a couple of guys but that’s about it.”

To help out your viewing experience, we have listed the player’s number (in parentheses), bolded the projected starters, and added an asterisk* after the rookies’ names.

Offense

Quarterback

With Hooker in concussion protocol, the Lions signed Fromm as insurance, but a day after the new quarterback arrived in the building, Hooker was medically cleared and returned to practice. Sudfeld and Hooker look poised to play in this game, but it’s not clear if Fromm will be ready to compete after being on the roster for less than a week.

Running back

Montgomery nor Gibbs played in the first preseason game and neither is expected to play in this game either—especially with Gibbs dealing with a hamstring injury. The good news is that it’s not considered long term and he is expected to be recovered before the regular season.

Look for Reynolds to get the start against the Chiefs, then Vaki and Jefferson to get the next two opportunities. Knight has looked better in camp now that he is past his injury, but it’s not clear how early he’ll get reps. Last week, Knight started the second half and gave way to Funk in the fourth quarter.

Wide receiver

Injured:

All eyes should be on the Lions WR-X battle, as the job remains wide open. Fountain maintains a very slim lead over Peoples-Jones in getting first-team reps, while Green landing on injured reserve has opened the door for Davis and Smith to jump into the mix.

“We’re waiting for somebody to step forward,” coach Dan Campbell said of the WR-X battle earlier this week. “We’re waiting for any one of those guys to step forward. (Donovan Peoples-Jones) DPJ I felt like has been, since the game, much better. He’s playing faster and I notice it, we all notice it. So that’s encouraging. (Daurice) Fountain and Tre’Quan (Smith) and Kaden Davis, we’re dying for somebody to step up and say, ‘Hey man, I’m the guy. I’m the guy you can depend on. I’ll be the same consistent player every day and find a way to make the plays that come my way.’”

Tight End

LaPorta and Wright will likely sit out again this week, leaving the remaining four tight ends to fight it out for playing time. Zylstra has typically been first up, followed by either Mitchell or Hesse—who is also the primary fullback.

Projected offensive line

Starters

LT Taylor Decker (68) — returned to practice, brace on right arm

LG Graham Glasgow (60)

C Frank Ragnow (77)

RG Kevin Zeitler (71) — shoulder kept him out of recent practices

RT Penei Sewell (58)

Don’t expect any of the starting offensive line to play against the Chiefs.

Second team

LT Dan Skipper (70)

LG Kayode Awosika (74)

C Kingsley Eguakun* (65)

RG Michael Niese (62)

RT Colby Sorsdal (75)

The Lions have used this combination of players on their second line for over a week and nothing we saw in practice has indicated any changes. If things stay the same, this is the unit that will likely play in the first half…

Reserves

LT Giovanni Manu* (59)

LG Duke Clemens* (63)

C Bryan Hudson* (64)

RG Jake Burton (67)

RT Jamarco Jones (72) — newly signed this week

… leaving the rest of the reserve offensive linemen likely to play in the second half.

Injured

Defense

Interior defensive line

The players in this group spend the majority of their time between the 0- and 3-technique.

Injured

Last week, McNeill and Peko sat out, leaving a lot of work for Wingo, Martin, and Smith, while also leaning on Pat O’Connor (listed in the next group section) to take inside snaps. With Campbell noting that “some d-lineman” who missed last week could play this week, could mean we see Peko on the field against the Chiefs.

Defensive line

The players in this group alternate between the 3-, 5-, and possibly 7-technique depending on the front design.

Injured

Onwuzurike and Paschal sat out against the Giants, with Paschal only returning to practice this week on Wednesday. When considering Campbell’s comments about the defensive line, it could mean Paschal plays this week in order to help him get in some of the reps he missed.

EDGE

Players in this section flex between hand-in-the-dirt defensive ends, as well as stand-up pass rushers.

Injured:

Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn noted that they’re scaling back SAM duties from Houston and Betts, and asking them to focus solely on pass rushing, which has prompted a change to our depth chart. Seeing as Derrick Barnes is now the lone SAM on the roster, he has merged back into the linebacker group, while Houston and Betts shift to the EDGE group, thus dissolving the SAM group.

With Houston dealing with an injury, it wouldn’t be surprising if we see defensive linemen Paschal and O’Connor also get more reps on the edge this week.

Off-the-ball linebacker

The MIKE and WILL linebackers operate in an off-the-ball role lined up between the tackles. The SAM linebacker is an at-the-line-scrimmage stand-up pass rusher who can also drop into coverage. This is a situational role that is not typically used in subpackage sets.

Injured:

Last week, the Lions rested Campbell, Anzalone, and Barnes, while also keeping Rodriguez out due to an injury. That thinned out the linebacker group to the point that the Lions needed to turn to long snapper Hogan Hatten for some reps late in the game. With Gilbert landing on injured reserve, and Jefferson also missing some practices, the Lions added two more linebackers this week for more depth.

Cornerback

This section includes a variety of cornerbacks, including some who can play both outside (CB) and inside (NB).

Injured

With injuries to Davis, Arnold, and Rakestraw—as well as safety/nickel Morice Norris landing on injured reserve—the Lions added two more corners this week to help add depth to the secondary. In practice, the Lions have started veterans Dorsey and Vildor on the outside with Robertson in the slot. We could see more of that combination in this game, with some safeties also getting in some nickel work after Robertson’s night is done.

Safety

The Lions’ safety roles are often interchangeable but some also have slot (NB) range.

Injured:

Last week Branch, Kerby, and Melifonwu all sat out, while Brandon Joseph and Norris got the start. If the same three sit again, Moore is next in line to start opposite B. Joseph, though he has been also been dealing with an injury of late, which could prompt some shuffling in this order. Most noteworthy, Strickland has expanded his game to include slot work, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on the field a lot in this game.

Special teams

Injured

Last week, Daly only played on two snaps, while Hatten snapped the ball six times, which makes sense, considering the Lions feel like they know what they have in Daly and are testing Hatten’s limits.

“That’s a real competition,” Campbell said earlier in the week. “One of the reasons we wanted to bring Hogan in was, he was intriguing in his coverage ability. He did play linebacker in college. So, he runs pretty good and he kind of has an awareness on the football […] Daly has been able to snap consistently and under pressure, big games, different looks, handling the protection and the snap. So, that’s the next step for (Hatten). He has to be able to prove that he can do that with a rush on him. Some of these hard situations are what we have to try to put him in. It is a real competition right now.”

At-a-glance projected depth chart

If you’re more of a visual learner, here’s an at-a-glance look at what was discussed above.