Pride of Detroit
Ahead of every Detroit Lions game in 2025, we will provide readers with an updated depth chart of the team’s roster based on what we are seeing at practices.
For this preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, the Lions have suggested that they plan on continuing to rest their starters—they rested 28 players against the Chargers and another 31 against the Falcons—especially with two joint practices earlier this week. So with that in mind, expect at least the top third of the roster to be on the sidelines for this matchup.
To help out your game viewing experience, here are a few keys to keep in mind when exploring this depth chart:
Jared Goff (16)
Kyle Allen (8)
Hendon Hooker (2)
After two preseason duds, Hooker needs to get on track in a bad way in this game. Unfortunately, he’ll have to wait his turn as Allen is not only playing better (see Lions coach Dan Campbell’s comments below), but it’s his turn to start in the rotation.
“I thought Kyle (Allen) played really well, man, I was fired up,” Campbell said of Allen’s performance against the Falcons. “That was outstanding. […] He gets out there and immediately gives us a boost. Runs the offense, makes two huge throws in the first drive he’s in there. Man, I thought he was on point with the checks. The kills, motion landmarks, the whole thing. He operated the offense at a high level and made big-time throws, so I was fired up.”
Jahmyr Gibbs (0)
David Montgomery (5)
Craig Reynolds (13)
Sione Vaki (33) — returned to practice this week (hamstring)
Jacob Saylors (48)
Deon Jackson (36) — Signed this week
Injured list:
Kye Robichaux* (25) — (IR – shoulder)
Reynolds has started each of the Lions’ two preseason games, but he could get a rest this week if Vaki is deemed healthy enough to play—he’s missed both games with a hamstring injury. Vaki returned to practice this week, and Campbell said the plan was to see what he could handle and then keep giving him more until he was full go. As long as he suffered no setbacks, Vaki could allow Reynolds to get a break this week, or at a minimum, reduce his number of snaps.
Saylors and Jackson figure to get work in the second half, though it’s possible Saylors gets some run with the second team, as he’s impressed Campbell with his ability to get up to speed with the offense quickly and not make mistakes.
“I thought what Saylors did the other day was pretty headsy and he’s kind of a crafty back and there’s something to be said about that,” Campbell said on Thursday. “Smart guy, understands ball, really...
