Detroit Lions comprehensive depth chart: Preseason Game 3 vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Detroit Lions are hosting the Indianapolis Colts in the final matchup (Game 3) of the 2021 preseason. This comprehensive 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.

Occasionally you will 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. Additionally, we added player numbers for easier tracking during the game, but there are some situations where two players have the same number. For example, safety Bobby Price and long snapper Scott Daly will both be wearing No. 47 in this game. Furthermore, the anticipated regular-season starters are bolded, but most won't be starting Friday night’s game. And finally, all rookies will have an * after their name.

After another round of cuts, the Lions’ current roster stands at 80 players. This week’s transactions included releasing wide receiver Darius Jennings, as well as waiving nose tackle P.J. Johnson, running back Javon Leake, EDGE Robert McCray, and quarterback Jordan Ta’amu.

Quarterback (3)

• Jared Goff (16) - rested last week, likely will again
• David Blough (10) - POD is anticipating Blough to get the start this week
• Tim Boyle (12) - will still likely play a significant amount

Running back (6)

• D’Andre Swift (32) - groin injury, has practiced twice this week but is not expected to play
• Jamaal Williams (30) - rested last week, likely will again
• Jermar Jefferson* (28)
• Dedrick Mills* (36)
• Godwin Igwebuike (35)
• Craig Reynolds (46)

Fullback (1)

• Jason Cabinda (45)

Wide receiver (11)

• WR-Z - Tyrell Williams (6) - groin injury, won’t play this week
• Slot - Amon-Ra St. Brown* (14)
• WR-X - Kalif Raymond (11) - this starting role could end up in a rotation
• Breshad Perriman (19) - hip injury
• Quintez Cephus (87)
• Tom Kennedy (85) - Coaches “trust” him right now
• Victor Bolden (13)
• Damion Ratley (17)
• Geronimo Allison (18)
• Javon McKinley* (83)
• Sage Surratt* (15)

Slot receiver

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

Tight end (4 + 2)

• TE-F — T.J. Hockenson (88) - “minor” injury, he is not expected to play
• TE-Y — Darren Fells (80)
• Alize Mack (84)
• Brock Wright* (89)
• Hunter Bryant (86) — Reserve/NFI
• Charlie Taumoepeau — Reserve/NFI

Expected starting offensive line (13)

• LT — Taylor Decker (68) - rested last week, likely will again
• LG — Jonah Jackson (73)
• C — Frank Ragnow (77) - rested last week, likely will again
• RG — Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72)
• RT — Penei Sewell* (58)

Reserve offensive line

• LT/RT/G – Tyrell Crosby (65) - Grade-1 hamstring injury, returned to practice this week
• OT/G - Matt Nelson (67)
• L/RG – Logan Stenberg (71)
• C Evan Brown (63)
• R/LG Tommy Kraemer* (78)
• OT - Dan Skipper (70)
• OT - Darrin Paulo (66)
• G/C Evan Heim (64)

Interior defensive line (10 + 1)

• 4i - Michael Brockers (91) - Campbell hoping he will be ready for Week 1
• 3T - Nick Williams (97)
• NT - Alim McNeill* (54)
• DL - Da’Shawn Hand (93) - injury worse than originally presumed, won’t play this week
• DL - Jashon Cornell (96) - last chance to impress before his three-game suspension
• DL - Levi Onwuzurike* (75)
• NT - John Penisini (98) - undisclosed injury, returned to practice this week
• DL - Kevin Strong (92)
• DL - Bruce Hector (76)
• NT - Miles Brown (61)
• Joel Heath (79) — Injured reserve

EDGE Rushers (6)

• WILL - Trey Flowers (90) - rested last week, likely will again
• SAM - Romeo Okwara (95) - rested last week, likely will again
• Julian Okwara (99)
• Charles Harris (53)
• Austin Bryant (94)
• Rashod Berry (45)

Off-the-ball linebacker (7+1)

• MIKE - Jamie Collins (8) - rested last week, likely will again
• BUCK - Alex Anzalone (34) - rested last week, likely will again
• Derrick Barnes* (55)
• Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44)
• Jahlani Tavai (51)
• Anthony Pittman (57)
• Tavante Beckett* (59)
• Shaun Dion Hamilton (50) - Injured reserve

Cornerback (9)

• Jeff Okudah (23) - participation levels are being managed
• Amani Oruwariye (24)
• Mike Ford (2)
• Ifeatu Melifonwu* (26)
• Jerry Jacobs* (39)
• Bobby Price (47) - transitioning from safety

Nickel corner

• AJ Parker* (41)
• Nickell Robey-Coleman (43)
• Corn Elder (29)

Safety (6)

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

Kicking team (4)

• P - Jack Fox (3)
• K - Randy Bullock (4)
• K - Zane Gonzalez (5)
• LS - Scott Daly (47)

Kick/Punt returners

• Kalif Raymond (11) - Punt and kick return
• Godwin Igwebuike (35) - Kick return
• Craig Reynolds (46) - Kick return
• Victor Bolden (13) - Punt and kick return
• Tom Kennedy (85) - Punt and kick return
• Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) - Punt and kick return

Kick coverage specialists

• Holder - Jack Fox (3) or Tim Boyle (12)
• Gunner - Bobby Price (47) and Mike Ford (2)
• Personal protector (PP) — C.J. Moore (38)
• 5 phase - Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44), Jason Cabinda (45), 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: