Three days after establishing the team’s initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season, the Lions tweaked things for a second time by releasing the two players.
Vaki and Saylors are both untested. Vaki being rather injury prone. Pacheco is injury prone. At least Hunt has experience and would maybe ease the loss of Monty. If the Lions are gonna do anything good this year, they should be 4-1 at least by the time the bye gets here. After week six, we should know about Mays, Kirby and Branch and if Laporta can have a decent season.
Yikes. This roster has numerous weak spots entering this season. A lot of strengths, but too many gaps.
Brad Holmes was very aggressive in a couple of replies when asked obvious questions at his press conference. It's not his fault that players get injured. But...it sure seems like they've been betting on 'hope' filling some of their gaps. For instance, the RB room. The CB room. The safety room. The O-line. More than a few questions. He says they like their CB room. Well, good. Opposing NFL QBs have also like our CB room- for the past few years.
The dust still hasn't settled on the roster. Fans probably know less than 5% of the information of why roster decisions are made until after the fact. Plenty of time for more moves before week 1.
Things make soooo much more sense now and are much more closely reflecting my initial 53 man projection. A backup C can easily be elevated each week between now and when Mays returns. Conklin is back at zero marginal cost. TK will take the spot I had reserved for Dortch, again at no cost.
IIRC, Dortch signed to Buffalo's practice squad. If that's the case, the Lions could poach him to their active roster. After Holmes comments though, I'm pretty sure they've moved on.
Vaki and Saylors are both untested. Vaki being rather injury prone. Pacheco is injury prone. At least Hunt has experience and would maybe ease the loss of Monty. If the Lions are gonna do anything good this year, they should be 4-1 at least by the time the bye gets here. After week six, we should know about Mays, Kirby and Branch and if Laporta can have a decent season.
Yikes. This roster has numerous weak spots entering this season. A lot of strengths, but too many gaps.
Brad Holmes was very aggressive in a couple of replies when asked obvious questions at his press conference. It's not his fault that players get injured. But...it sure seems like they've been betting on 'hope' filling some of their gaps. For instance, the RB room. The CB room. The safety room. The O-line. More than a few questions. He says they like their CB room. Well, good. Opposing NFL QBs have also like our CB room- for the past few years.
Lions lack of quality depth at numerous position groups will be exposed this season. There a torn MCL from disaster.
Makes sense. These guys are backup depth and can be elevated from the practice squad if needed for a game as insurance on the sideline.
The dust still hasn't settled on the roster. Fans probably know less than 5% of the information of why roster decisions are made until after the fact. Plenty of time for more moves before week 1.
Things make soooo much more sense now and are much more closely reflecting my initial 53 man projection. A backup C can easily be elevated each week between now and when Mays returns. Conklin is back at zero marginal cost. TK will take the spot I had reserved for Dortch, again at no cost.
To complete the project, how about we sign Dortch to the 53?😂
He already signed with Buffalo.
IIRC, Dortch signed to Buffalo's practice squad. If that's the case, the Lions could poach him to their active roster. After Holmes comments though, I'm pretty sure they've moved on.
Greg Dortch, the man who apparently was the key to the Lions' 2026 season.
Sorry for the delay on this news item. Got tied up with some things (read: dinner reservation and podcast recording).
Roster gymnastics at their finest
I know. 5D chess from Brad.