53-man roster projection 2.0 following Detroit Lions' preseason game in Kansas City
10:15 a.m. update: The initial version of this post counted DJ Reader twice, requiring an adjustment.
Allen Park — Here’s an updated projection on how the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster could shake out following another week of practice and Saturday’s night preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
As a reminder, teams must have their roster cuts filed to the league by Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. Starting this year, teams will also be able to place two players on injured reserve with a designation to return who won’t count against the 53-player tally.
16-man practice squads can be established starting at noon the following day.
Quarterbacks (3)
In: Jared Goff, Nate Sudfeld, Hendon Hooker
Work to do: Fromm
Changes: Fromm out, I guess
Thoughts: After last night’s game, I toyed with the idea of keeping just two quarterbacks. But this exercise is supposed to reflect what I believe the team will do, and I don’t think they’re quite ready to fully embrace Hooker as Goff’s primary backup.
Yes, Hooker unquestionably has the higher ceiling, and yes, he’s being rapidly developed as the long-term solution, but there’s a comfort level the coaching staff feels with Sudfeld’s experience, both during the week of preparation, and in an emergency where he’d be ask to keep the ship afloat following an injury to the starter.
It might feel like an overreaction to a moment, but I believe Hooker answered some questions with his performance against the Chiefs, building organizational confidence in his abilities to manage a game. But it’s a stretch to suggest he was able to quell all concerns, internally.
If Hooker earns the start in the preseason finale next week and performs at a similarly high level, I’m open to changing my mind. Keeping only two quarterbacks would certainly make some of the other roster decisions below a little easier to navigate.