An updated 2023 Detroit Lions depth chart based on our observations from recent games and practices.
In Week 17, the Detroit Lions (11-4) will take on the Dallas Cowboys (10-5) in a game that will help determine playoff seeding in the NFC.
It appears Detroit is starting to finesse their roster in preparation for the postseason, as they made several moves this week. Entering this game, not only have the Lions tweaked a few positions, but they are also only using 52 of the 53 available spots on their active roster. This is likely in preparation for a last-minute move ahead of this game or they’re keeping a spot open for a returning player—as they have three defenders who could potentially return from injured reserve next week.
In this updated look at the Lions’ depth chart, we have all Lions’ latest roster moves in one place, have separated players by position, and listed them in order of perceived importance to the team. To help out your viewing experience, we listed each player’s number next to their name, bolded the projected starters, italicized injured players, and added an asterisk* after the rookies’ names.
Quarterback (3)
- Jared Goff (16)
- Teddy Bridgewater (10)
- Hendon Hooker* (12)
Running back/Fullback (3)
- David Montgomery (5)
- Jahmyr Gibbs* (26)
- Craig Reynolds (13)
Wide receiver (6)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (14)
- Jameson Williams (9)
- Josh Reynolds (8)
- Kalif Raymond (11)
- Donovan Peoples-Jones (19)
- Antoine Green* (80)
Tight end (3 + 1 injured)
- Sam LaPorta* (87)
- James Mitchell (82)
- Anthony Firkser (86) — signed to the active roster on Saturday
- Brock Wright (89) — hip, Ruled OUT
Offensive line (8 + 2)
Projected starters
- LT — Taylor Decker (68) — groin, not listed with an injury designation
- LG — Jonah Jackson (73)
- C — Frank Ragnow (77) — toe/back, knee, not listed with an injury designation
- RG — Graham Glasgow (60)
- RT — Penei Sewell (58) — shoulder, not listed with an injury designation
OL Reserves
- G — Kayode Awosika (74)
- G/T — Colby Sorsdal* (75)
- T/G — Dan Skipper (70)
- G — Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) — back, IR, eligible to return at any time
- OT — Matt Nelson (67) — ankle, IR , eligible to return at any time
Interior defensive line (5 + 1)
- DT — Benito Jones (94)
- DT — Isaiah Buggs (96)
- DL — Levi Onwuzurike (91)
- DL — Tyson Alualu (92) — elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster
- DT — Brodric Martin* (98)
- DT — Alim McNeill (54) — knee, placed on IR, eligible to return in Week 18
EDGE Rushers (7 + 1)
- EDGE — Aidan Hutchinson (97)
- DE/IDL — John Cominsky (79)
- DE/IDL — Josh Paschal (93)
- EDGE — Romeo Okwara (95)
- SAM — Bruce Irvin (53) — elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster
- DE/SAM — Julian Okwara (99)
- DE/SAM — Charles Harris (53)
- SAM — James Houston (41) — fibula, IR , evaluation clock started
Off-the-ball linebacker (6)
- WILL — Alex Anzalone (34)
- MIKE/WILL — Derrick Barnes (55) — shoulder, not listed with an injury designation
- MIKE — Jack Campbell* (46)
- WILL/FB — Malcolm Rodriguez (44)
- WILL — Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42)
- MIKE/SAM — Anthony Pittman (57)
Cornerback (5)
- Cameron Sutton (1) — toe, questionable — Update: “a true game-time decision”
- Khalil Dorsey (30)
- Kindle Vildor (29)
- Jerry Jacobs (23) — hamstring, not listed with an injury designation
- Steven Gilmore* (24)
Star/Nickelback (2)
- NB/S — Brian Branch* (32)
- CB/NB Will Harris (25)
Safety (3 + 1)
- Kerby Joseph (31)
- Ifeatu Melifonwu (6)
- Tracy Walker (21)
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) — Pectoral, IR , evaluation clock started
Kicking team (3)
- P — Jack Fox (3)
- K — Michael Badgley (17) — signed to the active roster
- LS — Jake McQuaide (43)
Kick/Punt returners
- Punt return — Kalif Raymond (11); reserve — Donovan Peoples-Jones (19)
- Kick return — Khalil Dorsey (30); reserve — Craig Reynolds (13)
Kick coverage specialists
- Kickoffs — Jack Fox (3)
- Holder — Jack Fox (3)
- Gunner — Khalil Dorsey (30) and Jerry Jacobs (23) or Kindle Vildor (29)
- Personal protector (PP) — Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42)
At-a-glance projected depth chart
If you’re more of a visual learner, here’s an at-a-glance look at what was discussed above:
