Lions Wrap Up Training Camp With Roster Decisions Looming

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The Detroit Lions are set to play their final preseason game of the year against the Indianapolis Colts this Saturday at 1 p.m. Unfortunately for Detroit, it will be the second-to-last preseason game played across the NFL.

What makes the timing unfortunate is that the Lions will have to cut their roster down to 53 players by 6 p.m. Sunday. That gives Dan Campbell and his coaching staff very little time to evaluate the final preseason game and make definitive decisions on players who could be on the cusp of making the team.

Today, the Lions officially wrapped up their final training camp practice of the year.

During Campbell’s press conference with the media, he provided several updates, including news on a few injured players.

Ahmed Hassanein was held out of practice along with rookie second-round pick Derrick Moore. Campbell did not appear overly concerned about Hassanein’s injury, but confirmed that he would not practice.

Moore, meanwhile, is expected to miss some time, but Campbell said he could potentially return next week.

Campbell also announced that running back Isaiah Pacheco is currently dealing with a back injury. Campbell said Pacheco’s knee is not a concern but declined to provide a timeline for his return.

The Lions also announced a couple of roster moves. Detroit placed EDGE Payton Turner on Reserve/Injured and signed defensive back Eric Scott.

The Lions also released wide receiver Cedrick Wilson from injured reserve with an injury settlement.

Scrimmage Highlights

To close out training camp, Detroit held a scrimmage during Thursday’s practice.

The first-team offense opened with a 14-play drive that was capped off by a Jared Goff touchdown pass to Jameson Williams on fourth down.

The second-team offense struggled on its opening possession, which stalled after Devin White recorded a sack on third-and-5.

A few drives later, Jahmyr Gibbs provided one of the biggest plays of training camp. On the second play of the drive, Gibbs found a hole and broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown run, his longest touchdown run of camp.

The first-team defense then began to heat up, keeping the first-team offense out of the end zone for the next three drives.

The second-team offense took the field and eventually found the end zone on its final drive of the scrimmage. Trayveon Williams scored on a third-down touchdown run, which sparked a big reaction from the entire offense.

To close out practice, the first-team offense received the final two drives.

Goff ended both possessions with touchdowns, connecting with Amon-Ra St. Brown on one drive before finding the end zone again on the ground with a 16-yard touchdown run from Gibbs.

With training camp officially in the books, the Lions now have just one preseason game remaining.

For several players competing for roster spots, Saturday’s matchup against the Colts could be their final opportunity to make an impression before Detroit must trim its roster to 53 players.

With only a short window between the final preseason game and roster cutdowns, every snap could matter for players fighting to make the team.

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