Pride of Detroit
The Detroit Lions’ third preseason game of the 2025 season is in the books, and it’s time to check back in on the players who helped or hurt their stock against the Miami Dolphins.
For injury or rest purposes, the Lions did not play 30 players in this preseason game of the 2025 season, with another six still sitting out due to being on an injury list (PUP/NFI).
Let’s take a quick look at an overview of the roster with our game day depth chart, noting that the players without a position color did not play in this game. Additionally, if a player’s name is written in red, they came into the game with an injury, but if they were injured in the game, their name is boxed in red.
Note: Players with an asterisk (*) are rookies
It’s been building for two weeks now, but after this game, it should be obvious to everyone that Allen is the clear leader for the QB2 job.
“I would trust Kyle (Allen) more because he’s proven more after these two games,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of the battle for the QB2 role. “We’re still going to coach Hooker up. We’re still going to see what’s there and see if we can get him better. I mean, we still got a little bit here.”
Allen’s last four quarters (and change) of preseason play have resulted in some impressive stats: 21 of 25 for 244 yards, four TDs, zero INT, and a 146.9 passer rating. He attributes his recent uptick in play to his ability to be consistent and his understanding of a playbook that gives him lots of positive options to choose from
“It’s a good offense, it’s a really complete offense. I feel like I have answers on every play,” Allen said post-game. “I know where to go with the ball versus any coverage, and I just feel confident that whatever play is called, that whatever they’re driving, I’m going to know what to get to.”
Hooker had a difficult task in front of him versus the Dolphins. He was playing with a makeshift offensive line that consisted of a left tackle dealing with injury (Giovanni Manu), a brand new left guard (Zack Johnson) and a right tackle (Gunner Britton), and his right guard (Mason Miller) was an undrafted rookie who had previously spent the majority of his time at tackle. As a result, he consistently dealt with a collapsing pocket and his decision making was rushed—which has been Hooker’s achilles heel.
At this stage of the competition, I’m not sure Hooker can overtake Allen. But that doesn’t mean Hooker has lost his opportunity—as Campbell mentioned earlier. His time is dwindling, but he still has an opportunity to convince coaches he’s...
