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DETROIT — The Detroit Lions host the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field. It\u2019s the first of three home games in a row, and in a hurry.<\/p>\n
See below for our projected depth chart heading into Week 12:<\/p>\n
1. Jared Goff<\/p>\n
2. Kyle Allen<\/p>\n
Jared Goff has probably been counting down the seconds to getting back on the field. Last week\u2019s showing against the Philadelphia Eagles was one to forget. He posted the worst completion percentage of his career, had a brutal day with Amon-Ra St. Brown, not to mention five passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.<\/p>\n
1. Jahmyr Gibbs<\/p>\n
2. David Montgomery<\/p>\n
3. Jacob Saylors<\/p>\n
4. Sione Vaki<\/p>\n
Questionable: <\/b>Sione Vaki (ankle)<\/p>\n
After Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery had an even split in Dan Campbell\u2019s first game back calling the offense, the running game never found its rhythm in Philadelphia. This group needs — and should have — a big day against the Giants.<\/p>\n
Gibbs had a big one through the air, topping 100 receiving yards, with a pair of electric screens. But the ground game was limited to 74 yards on 11 rushes.<\/p>\n
New York\u2019s defense has surrendered 100-plus rushing yards in all but one game in 2025, when they held the lowly New Orleans Saints to 88 yards.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019d always like to get David more carries,\u201d Campbell said this week. \u201cAlways.\u201d<\/p>\n
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown<\/p>\n
2. Jameson Williams<\/p>\n
3. Kalif Raymond<\/p>\n
4. Isaac TeSlaa<\/p>\n
5. Dominic Lovett<\/p>\n
Questionable:<\/b> Isaac TeSlaa (oblique)<\/p>\n
Isaac TeSlaa played through his oblique injury last weekend. He also practiced in a limited capacity all week after playing 20 snaps for the second straight game. TeSlaa could see a bigger role in Sam LaPorta\u2019s absence, with the Lions relying less on their tight end depth, opening a target void.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll have a little bit more. They do play a lot of man-to-man, on third down especially, end zone,\u201d Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said of TeSlaa. \u201cSo, it\u2019s just like I said with everybody, everybody\u2019s going to have a certain role. It\u2019s our job to be creative, try to get these guys open and put him in certain spots that he\u2019s really good at right now. And he\u2019s still learning. Listen, he\u2019s tough, he\u2019s physical. I love that part. He\u2019s a blocker. I mean, all our wideouts are, but he is. He\u2019s got it, and he\u2019s a Lion for that because he blocks his butt off.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it\u2019s only a matter of time for – he\u2019s going to have a breakout game. We\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n
1. Brock Wright<\/p>\n
2. Ross Dwelley<\/p>\n
3. Anthony Firkser (elevation)<\/p>\n
Brock Wright played a season-high 49 offensive plays in the first game without LaPorta. But Ross Dwelley saw his role drop to only one snap, and Jackson Meeks played only one, as well, as a practice squad elevation.<\/p>\n
Wright will continue to handle a heavier role, potentially for the rest of the season. Anthony Firkser brings experience across the league and with this franchise. But it feels like another Wright- and receiver-heavy day.<\/p>\n
Starters: <\/b>LT Taylor Decker, LG Kayode Awosika, C Graham Glasgow, RG Tate Ratledge, RT Penei Sewell<\/p>\n
Reserves: <\/b>OT Dan Skipper, OL Trystan Colon, OL Michael Niese<\/p>\n
Questionable: <\/b>Taylor Decker (shoulder), Penei Sewell (ankle), Graham Glasgow (knee), Tate Ratledge (knee)<\/p>\n
Out:<\/b> Miles Frazier (knee)<\/p>\n
Four of the team\u2019s starting offensive linemen are questionable. But Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell have continued to play through issues, and Graham Glasgow and Tate Ratledge practiced in a limited capacity all week. The Lions didn\u2019t elevate or sign any further depth, and that\u2019s always a good omen.<\/p>\n
This group needs to get back on track, and they\u2019re going to have their hands full. Giants pass rusher Brian Burns has 13 sacks, first-round rookie Abdul Carter has 30-plus pressures, and Dexter Lawrence is a potential game-wrecker.<\/p>\n
Starters:<\/b> EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DL Alim McNeill, DT D.J. Reader, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad<\/p>\n
Reserves:<\/b> DT Tyleik Williams, DL Roy Lopez, DL Tyler Lacy, DL Mekhi Wingo, EDGE Tyrus Wheat, DL Quinton Jefferson<\/p>\n
Out: <\/b>EDGE Josh Paschal (back), EDGE Marcus Davenport (shoulder)<\/p>\n
Kelvin Sheppard and Co. got creative last week. Alim McNeill started and played 17 snaps on the edge. Tyleik Williams played 30-plus snaps after two weeks of less playing time. Roy Lopez even saw his role grow to 24 plays, and he continues to make the most of his opportunities.<\/p>\n
Expect more of that because the beefier defensive front was a standout from the trip to Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
Starters:<\/b> (WILL) Alex Anzalone, (MIKE) Jack Campbell and (SAM) Derrick Barnes<\/p>\n
Reserves:<\/b> Trevor Nowaske, Grant Stuard, Malcolm Rodriguez<\/p>\n
Welcome back, Malcolm Rodriguez.<\/p>\n
The Lions linebackers are cooking right now, and the trio of Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes is playing a ton of snaps. Rodriguez is a proven run-stopper, but feels best suited for a heavy special teams role as he gets back to speed.<\/p>\n
Starters: <\/b>CB Amik Robertson, CB D.J. Reed, S Brian Branch, S Thomas Harper, Slot CB Arthur Maulet<\/p>\n
Reserves: <\/b>CB Rock Ya-Sin, CB Khalil Dorsey, CB Nick Whiteside, S Daniel Thomas, DB Avonte Maddox<\/p>\n
Out: <\/b>CB Terrion Arnold (concussion), S Kerby Joseph (knee)<\/p>\n
The secondary is tricky this week. If the Lions were playing more nickel, it would be easy to slide Amik Robertson back there to keep D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin on the field. But my take is that Reed and Robertson will start on the outside, and Ya-Sin will slide back into a rotation role. Just don\u2019t be surprised if it\u2019s Robertson, and not Arthur Maulet, in the slot when they do play nickel. In that case, Ya-Sin could slide outside for those certain looks on the other side of the returning Reed.<\/p>\n
Reed\u2019s return is a big-time boost. He was the team\u2019s splashy signing in free agency, and the veteran has played as advertised. His passer rating allowed in coverage ranks eighth in the league, and Reed didn\u2019t allow a touchdown across his four games of action.<\/p>\n
When Terrion Arnold returns from concussion protocol, the Lions will have their cornerback rotation back. Kerby Joseph remains out, too, but is said to be heading in the right direction.<\/p>\n
Reed and Khalil Dorsey were activated and removed from the injury report on Saturday.<\/p>\n
K Jake Bates<\/p>\n
P Jack Fox<\/p>\n
LS Hogan Hatten<\/p>\n
KR Jacob Saylors, Kalif Raymond<\/p>\n
PR Kalif Raymond<\/p>\n
With Sione Vaki questionable, and based on last week\u2019s rotation, it looks like Jacob Saylors and Kalif Raymong will handle kickoffs. Raymond was aggressive as a punt returner last week, but didn\u2019t find much success. He can break one in the blink of an eye, though, and should remain aggressive.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Reed is the team’s top cornerback. But how will the Lions balance their rotation in his first action since Week 4?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":38201,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-detroit-lions"],"yoast_head":"\n