[ad_1]
PITTSBURGH – The Detroit Lions continue the preseason game on Saturday night by traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers, although many of the faces you know aren’t in uniform.
D’André Swift will not play. Neither did TJ Hockenson, and maybe even Jared Goff too, despite Goff’s meh performance in Game 1 before a tough week in training. And if those practices were any indication, even Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow won’t touch the field in Pittsburgh.
The Lions look set to empty their bench in their last two exhibitions, choosing to keep the squad healthy while watching at length as many bubble players fight for their footballing lives. Here’s a look at five of them who are set to play tonight:
LB Jahlani Tavai: From the second-round pick to fighting for a spot at the bottom of the list, it’s hard to describe Tavai’s pick as anything other than a failure for 28 months. He was among the league’s five worst linebackers as a rookie in 2019, according to ProFootballFocus, and then among the five worst linebackers last season. Of course, he was far from the only player who looked bad in Matt Patricia’s defense. A lot of the guys haven’t developed, and the new staff have spent much of the last few months trying to rebuild confidence on this side of the roster. Tavai lost over 25 pounds to fit into the new program as well, and it shows. He moves much better. Problem is, he still doesn’t look out of shape, and he didn’t help his case in Game 1 of the preseason by missing a mission that led to an undisputed touchdown pass against Buffalo.
The Lions won’t give up on Tavai easily, and Shaun Dion Hamilton’s injury improves his chances. But with Alex Anzalone signed to start alongside Jamie Collins, as well as Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Anthony Pittman in good shape for reserve roles, Tavai might still have some work to do to make this team.
WR Tom Kennedy: Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond are list locks to the receiver, and it would be a shock if Quintez Cephus didn’t do that too. That’s five broad, leaving perhaps a job – if that – up for grabs. Victor Bolden had made a very good point at the start of the offseason, but he’s a bit of a funk right now, including dropping two passes against Buffalo and missing a punt. He had another bad drop in practice on Thursday. If the Lions have six receivers, that last place is more up for grabs than ever and Kennedy has played enough days to get at least some consideration. He’s not the fastest guy, and he’s certainly not the biggest, but the former lacrosse pro has done enough – including leading the Lions in catches (four) and receiving yards (46) against Buffalo – to at least propel yourself to the outskirts of the bubble. He should also have another long look at Pittsburgh with so many starters sitting down.
DT Kevin Strong: The defensive tackle position has fallen into disuse under Matt Patricia, but I’ll be damned if Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell haven’t rebuilt depth there in just a few months. Adding guys like Michael Brockers, Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike to a unit that fired Da’Shawn Hand, Nick Williams and John Penisini really turned the heat up on training. It also created a tough path to the roster for guys like Kevin Strong and Bruce Hector at the back of the rotation. But injuries to Brockers, Onwuzurike, Hand, Williams and Penisini created opportunities for Strong and Hector, and the two made their way into the roster bubble. Dan Campbell said he’s looking to fill the bottom of the roster with the players who have shone the most during the preseason, and Strong has been particularly good against Buffalo, making some key saves when the starters were still in the game. match. He’s still facing an aerial fight to be a part of the squad due to all the great assets of the job, but more nights like this and he just might find his way into the squad.
QB David Blough: It looks like the Lions are looking to Tim Boyle as a backup quarterback, which means Blough has to do enough to convince the staff that he deserves the extra spot on the roster. Problem is, he also suffers from a shoulder injury severe enough to limit him to training this week, forcing Detroit to add Jordan Ta’amu just to help them get through the next two weeks. Blough is set to play in Pittsburgh, however, one of his last chances to make his point.
RB Craig Reynolds: The surprise of the preseason opener deserves a mention here, although it still has a considerable amount of work to do – and perhaps not enough time to do it. Of course, that cut for a 24-yard touchdown run against Buffalo was pretty. And history makes it so much better. This guy missed his flight for a workout in Detroit last week, then got delayed twice before being stranded in Charlotte and finally arriving in Michigan the next day, just hours before his practice. Then he seduced Brad Holmes with his physical form, signed a contract on Thursday, then showed up a day later and started to introduce himself to his teammates in the squad before scoring the only touchdown for the squad. the day. Awesome story. But with D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Jermar Jefferson running away with the first three jobs, and Jason Cabinda stranded at the back, Reynolds will have to show he’s not a one-shot wonder before Detroit does. considers for the regular season.
[ad_2]
Source link