Detroit Lions roster depth: What will the linebacker rotation look like if the captain misses Week 3?

The Detroit Lions (1-1) will look to avoid their first losing streak since 2022 when they travel to Arizona in Week 3 to face the Cardinals (1-1) at State Farm Stadium.

This post provides an update to the roster, taking into account injuries, rotation changes and practice squad increases ahead of Sunday afternoon’s game out West:

quarterback

1. Jared Goff

2. Hendon Hooker

Nothing new to report here as Jared Goff and Co. look to get back on track after a brutal performance in the red zone. Goff captained this team for nearly two consecutive undefeated seasons, so there is confidence the quarterback will improve his game after a mediocre start.

Run back

David Montgomery

1B. Jahmyr Gibbs

3. Craig Reynolds

4. Sione Vaki

The Lions gave up on running last week against the Bucs, and that may not be the case in Arizona. Goff threw a whopping 55 times while David Montgomery never really got going. Montgomery ran just 11 times for 35 yards and a touchdown. He was more effective in the passing attack as Jahmyr Gibbs led the running game and struggled as a receiver, a role reversal in the odd Week 2 performance.

Arizona’s defense has impressed so far in the running game, but it’s hard to imagine the Lions implementing a similar offensive plan to last week.

“I think we really wanted to open the running game with a passing game, and that’s where the running game was again a mirror image,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “Ben (Johnson) and I talked this morning, it was a little bit of a mirror image of the playoff game. When we got to the fourth inning, we just couldn’t get our running game going properly in the fourth inning, and when we did, that’s another area where there’s no gain, it’s a gain of three, and now all of a sudden you’re on third-and-7, you find a way to get it out, you go back to the running game. You’re not getting the yards you want to get, and that kind of sends you back to the passing game, that’s all.”

Wide receiver

Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick

Backup: Caliph Raymond, Allen Robinson, Isaiah Williams (QUESTIONED)

The dispute was promoted from the practice squad. Isaiah Williams will likely be inactive. However, the Lions have promoted both Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson from the practice squad. Patrick made his team debut last week, playing over 30 snaps and catching two passes, while this will be Robinson’s debut for the Lions. After this game, Patrick will have one more promotion from the practice squad and Robinson will have two.

It’s almost as if the Lions were feeling the effects of last week’s brutal performance in the red zone. All kidding aside, these two physically strong, big receivers should help the passing attack in key areas. And with Jameson Williams set to open the year, expect more balance and efficiency at wide receiver. Amon-Ra St. Brown was back to filling the box score, but 11 catches on 19 attempts is still nothing for the sun god.

“The idea is to see if we can open that up a little bit and use him a little bit more, but he’s big, he’s physical, his catch radius is pretty tremendous,” Campbell said of Patrick. “So, there’s a spot for him here, and yes, I see us using him in the future.”

“I don’t know if it could do anything – probably if you use him a little bit more, you take Jamo away a little bit, you take (Raymond) Leaf away a little bit, that’s probably the main reason to be honest, and you just let the guys roll through.”

Tight end

1. Sam LaPorta

2. Brock Wright

3. Parker Hesse

Sam LaPorta had a quiet start to the season. But neither he nor the Lions are worried.

“Last week it was St. Brown, this week it’s LaPorta, next week it’s going to be someone else. That’s just the nature of the game,” said Ben Johnson, the team’s offensive coordinator. “That’s what we have right now. We have a lot of weapons and it’s hard to guarantee someone five to eight targets every single game, that’s not how it works.”

Offensive line

Starters: LT Taylor Decker, LG/C Graham Glasgow (QUESTIONED), C Frank Ragnow, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Penei Sewell

Backup: OT Dan Skipper, OG Kayode Awosika, OL Michael Niese, OT Giovanni Manu, OT/OG Colby Sorsdal

Graham Glasgow is expected to be fit. Glasgow finished the season with limited practice participation and the head coach said he is on track. Giovanni Manu and Colby Sorsdal were inactive last week and that is unlikely to change.

Defensive line

EDGE Starter: Aidan Hutchinson

DL Starter: Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader

Backup: Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, James Houston, Mekhi Wingo, Kyle Peko

Marcus Davenport is back in action, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions slowly ease him back into the game considering his injury history, Levi Onwuzurike’s play, and the return of DJ Reader. Onwuzurike has played a lot of snaps as a big defensive end over the last two weeks, and the line has been one of the best in the league. There’s no point changing that now.

Davenport’s return to the pass rush also adds to the versatility of this group, as Onwuzurike can kick both inside and outside. Josh Paschal will likely see more use in his role as both inside and outside defender. But James Houston may be facing another round without healthy players.

Linebackers

1. Alex Anzalone (WILL) (QUESTIONED), Jack Campbell (MIKE), Derrick Barnes (SAM)

2. Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Backups/Special Teams: Ben Niemann, Trevor Nowaske

Given the unpredictability of the concussion protocol, it’s hard to get a sense of how well Alex Anzalone can play. The team captain did practice twice in limited fashion at the end of the week, and that’s a good sign. But with this type of injury and situation, it’s hard to say for sure.

The Lions have prepared well for this moment. Jack Campbell or Derrick Barnes can take over at green if needed. Plus, they’ve already put some of those linebackers in action early in the season. Barnes played all over the field and Malcolm Rodriguez was back in the defensive rotation. Jalen Reeves-Maybin played a role on the third attempt late last year and is more than capable and the staff trusts him to take on more work if needed.

Related: The Lions have relied heavily on the linebackers and prepared them well when the captain cannot play

“I’ve said this all along — I have a lot of confidence in that linebacker room,” Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said earlier this week. “Jack has done a good job for us since OTAs and training camp of helping Alex make the decisions and being in front of that huddle. I have no problem with that.”

Secondary

Cornerback starter: Carlton Davis III, Terrion Arnold (QUESTIONED), Amik Robertson (Slot)

Safety starter: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph

Backup: S Brandon Joseph, S Loren Strickland, CB Kindle Vildor, CB Khalil Dorsey, DB Ifeatu Melifonwu (AUS), CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (AUS)

Terrion Arnold battled a finger injury in last week’s game and then dealt with an illness all week in practice. But the Lions never raised the alarm and said their top rookie was expected to play in his first NFL road game. Melifonwu remains out of action and many, including myself, are wondering why he hasn’t been placed on the injured list. Rakestraw is out after suffering a hamstring injury during pregame warmups last week.

Four names dominated snaps last week, and that’s likely to continue. Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch and Carlton Davis III played 100% of the snaps. Arnold missed just four plays, while Amik Robertson (18) and Kindle Vildor (four) weren’t used much.

Special teams

K — Jake Bates

P — Jack Fox

LS — Hogan Hatten

Kick-off – Jake Bates

KR – Craig Reynolds

2. Tom Kennedy

PR – Caliph Raymond

2. Sione Vaki

Tom Kennedy has caught the only two kickoff returns for the Lions this season. Opponents seem content to knock the ball out of the end zone, leaving the offense free on the 30-yard line.

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