The Detroit Lions are down to 52 players with a slimmed-down roster ahead of the 2025 season.

The Lions will begin their season against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 7 with a few questions still outstanding, like what general manager Brad Holmes is going to do with the open roster spot the team has available.

Holmes and assistant GM Ray Agnew spoke on Thursday, Aug. 28, in Allen Park, addressing a potential Za’Darius Smith signing, the waiving of quarterback Hendon Hooker and an injury update for rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein.

Here are the highlights from the news conference.

Lions GM Brad Holmes on free agent Za’Darius Smith

Holmes was asked if the Lions would use their open roster spot to sign free agent defensive lineman Za’Darius Smith, who played in eight regular-season games as a midseason addition for the Lions in 2025.

Holmes didn’t address the rumor directly but didn’t deny interest, saying: “You guys know, anything is a possibility.”

But Holmes also said the open roster spot is not for a specific player, adding: “It’s for a player that makes the most sense for us, whoever that may be.”

He said the team has not had “active talks” with Smith recently.

Ahmed Hassanein injury update

Rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein left the Lions’ preseason game against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 16 with a pectoral injury. He was recently waived by the Lions with an injury settlement that could see him return to the Lions once the settlement expires, plus an extra three weeks time.

Though there was some question about Hassanein’s availability to play in 2025, Holmes says he expects the sixth-round pick from Boise State to play this season.

“He will be a Detroit Lion. He’s going to be back on the football field playing this year,” Holmes said.

Holmes on Lions waiving QB Hendon Hooker

Holmes was asked about waiving two players the Lions picked in the 2023 draft: third-round picks Brodric Martin and Hendon Hooker.

“I think there’s risk involved with every single pick that you do … I don’t know how much more preparation that we could have done when we select these players, but it’s just the respect of the unknown,” Holmes said. “So unfortunately, they did not meet expectations in a timely manner that we would have liked them to.”

Hooker signed with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad after the Lions waived him ahead of the roster deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Tate Ratledge at guard vs center

The Lions tested out rookie offensive lineman Tate Ratledge at center early in training camp with the sudden retirement of longtime center Frank Ragnow. They quickly decided on veteran Graham Glasgow taking up the position.

But according to Holmes, the Lions may have been fine keeping Ratledge at center.

“I think he could have handled it, we could have just left him in there,” Holmes said. “But when you start looking at the whole combination of him and Graham and everything, I think that was the best thing not only for the players being put in the best positions, but also for the team.”

Holmes added Ratledge’s ceiling is arguably higher at right guard than it is at center, which also factored into the team’s decision.

Alex Anzalone’s contract

Holmes was asked about his thoughts on linebacker Alex Anzalone’s contract holdout, which ended July 31 with a a $250,000 per year salary rise and a guaranteed payout.

“We do have a lot of players that were playing that we’re trying to keep around,” he said. “I understand where he’s coming from. We had productive communication with that, and I’m glad that we could, you know, we came to a resolution for the immediate.”

Despite Anzalone’s productive play in Detroit, he did not receive extra years on his contract, with Holmes saying it’s hard to project how the 30-year-old linebacker will play as he ages.

When is the Lions’ first game?

The Lions will be facing the Green Bay Packers in their season opener at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.

Date: Sunday, Sept. 7.

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET.

Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay.

How to watch Lions vs Packers

The Lions will take on the Packers in their opening game at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Sept. 7. The game will be broadcasted on CBS.

Kickoff: 4:25 p.m. ET.

TV: CBS.

Streaming: On Fubo.

Radio: WXYT-FM 97.1.

The first Lions game of the 2025 season will be broadcasted on CBS, with streaming available on Fubo.