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Detroit Lions comprehensive depth chart: Preseason Game 1 vs. Buffalo Bills

A quick reference guide for player viewing during the game.

By Erik Schlitt
Syndication: Detroit Free Press Kimberly P. Mitchell via Imagn Content Services, LLC

This comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions depth chart is designed to give an expanded look at the current roster, and you will often see things that vary from traditional depth charts.

For example, the positions and groupings are expanded to properly reflect different formations and roles. Additionally, you will occasionally see a player listed at multiple positions. This happens when a player holds key roles at multiple spots and doesn't fit into just one box.

With 90 players currently on the preseason Game 1 roster, we’ve added in player numbers for easier tracking during the game. Note: there are two situations where two players have the same number, so be sure you’re keeping the player's position in mind when identifying personnel. Example: safety Bobby Price and long snapper Scott Daly will both be wearing No. 47 in this game.

Let’s take a closer look at how the roster has evolved throughout training camp, noting that the anticipated regular season starters are bolded but they may not actually start tonight's game. All rookies will have an * after their name.

Quarterback (3)

  • Jared Goff (16)
  • Tim Boyle (12)
  • David Blough (10)

Running back (7)

  • D’Andre Swift (32) - has been nursing a groin injury
  • Jamaal Williams (30)
  • Jermar Jefferson* (28) - injured ankle on Monday, has been limited in practice
  • Dedrick Mills* (36)
  • Godwin Igwebuike (35) - converted from safety this summer
  • Javon Leake (40) - signed Wednesday
  • Craig Reynolds (46) - signed Thursday

Fullback (1)

  • Jason Cabinda (45)

Wide receiver (13)

  • WR-Z - Tyrell Williams (6) - finger/groin, has been practicing
  • WR-X - Breshad Perriman (19) - hip injury, has been practicing
  • Slot - Amon-Ra St. Brown* (14)
  • Kalif Raymond (11)
  • Quintez Cephus (87) - head injury
  • Victor Bolden (13)
  • Chad Hansen (82) - undisclosed injury
  • Damion Ratley (17) - undisclosed injury
  • Geronimo Allison (18)
  • Tom Kennedy (85)
  • Sage Surratt* (15)
  • Javon McKinley* (83)
  • Darius Jennings (86) - signed on Monday

Slot receiver

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown* (14)
  • Kalif Raymond (11)
  • Victor Bolden (13)
  • Tom Kennedy (85)
  • Darius Jennings (86)

Tight end (6 + 1)

  • TE-F — T.J. Hockenson (88) - undisclosed “minor” injury
  • TE-Y — Darren Fells (80)
  • Alize Mack (84)
  • Brock Wright* (89)
  • Charlie Taumoepeau (43)
  • Hunter Thedford (49)
  • Hunter Bryant (86) — Reserve/NFI

Expected starting offensive line (14)

  • LT — Taylor Decker (68)
  • LG — Jonah Jackson (73)
  • C — Frank Ragnow (77)
  • RG — Hal Vaitai (72)
  • RT — Penei Sewell* (58)

Reserve offensive line

  • L/RT – Tyrell Crosby (65) - Grade-1 hamstring injury, not expected to play
  • Matt Nelson (67)
  • Dan Skipper (70)
  • Darrin Paulo (66)
  • L/RG – Logan Stenberg (71)
  • Tommy Kraemer* (78) - undisclosed injury, limited in practice
  • Evan Heim (64)
  • C – Evan Brown (63)
  • Evan Boehm (62)

Interior defensive line (12 + 1)

  • 4i - Michael Brockers (91) - has been on veteran’s rest most of camp
  • 3T - Nick Williams (97) - added to COVID-19 list Saturday morning, won’t play
  • NT - Alim McNeill* (54)
  • Da’Shawn Hand (93) - undisclosed “minor” injury
  • Jashon Cornell (96)
  • Levi Onwuzurike* (75) - back tightness, expected to get back to work next week
  • John Penisini (98) - undisclosed injury
  • Kevin Strong (92) - undisclosed injury, has been back at practice in full
  • Miles Brown (61)
  • Bruce Hector (76)
  • PJ Johnson (74) - signed last Saturday
  • Michael Barnett (69) - signed last Saturday
  • Joel Heath (79) — Injured reserve

EDGE Rushers (6)

  • WILL - Trey Flowers (90)
  • SAM - Romeo Okwara (95)
  • Julian Okwara (99)
  • Charles Harris (53)
  • Austin Bryant (94)
  • Robert McCray (52)

Off-the-ball linebacker (8)

  • MIKE - Jamie Collins (8)
  • BUCK - Alex Anzalone (34)
  • Jahlani Tavai (51)
  • Shaun Dion Hamilton (50)
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) - removed from reserve/COVID-19 on Monday
  • Derrick Barnes* (55) - “minor” hamstring injury, expected to play but unclear how much
  • Anthony Pittman (57)
  • Tavante Beckett* (59)

Cornerback (9)

Nickel corner

Safety (8)

  • FS - Tracy Walker (21)
  • SS - Will Harris (25)
  • Dean Marlowe (31)
  • C.J. Moore (38)
  • Bobby Price (47)
  • Jalen Elliott (42)
  • AJ Holder (33)

Kicking team (5)

  • P - Jack Fox (3)
  • K - Randy Bullock (4)
  • K - Zane Gonzalez (5) - signed on Tuesday
  • LS - Don Muhlbach (48)
  • LS - Scott Daly (47)

Kick/Punt returners

  • Kalif Raymond (11)
  • Victor Bolden (13)
  • Tom Kennedy (85)
  • Amon-Ra St. Brown (14)
  • Godwin Igwebuike (35) - kickoffs only

Likely will be added to the kick returner competition, but are late additions to the roster:

  • Darius Jennings (86)
  • Javon Leake (38)
  • Craig Reynolds (46)

Kick coverage specialists

  • Gunner - Bobby Price (47)
  • Gunner - Mike Ford (2)
  • Personal protector (PP) — C.J. Moore (38)
  • 5 phase - Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44)
  • 5 phase - Jason Cabinda (45)
  • 5 phase - Derrick Barnes* (55)

In the mix among the key roles on coverage units:

  • Ifeatu Melifonwu* (26) and Jerry Jacobs* (39) at gunner
  • Jalen Elliott (42) and Sage Surratt (15) at PP

At-a-glance

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

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