In the Detroit Lions preseason finale Sunday afternoon, here are five players who’ll be worth watching.
Heading into their preseason finale Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Detroit Lions will have some tough decisions to make for the final roster cutdown to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon.
Early this past week Lions head coach Dan Campbell suggested up to 10 roster spots are up for grabs. Rough math says nearly 20 percent of the active roster heading into Week 1 wasn’t fully determined. Most notably, the battles to be Jared Goff’s primary backup and the kicker battle will stretch into the third preseason game as to be determined.
Most of the Lions starters, minus Goff as Tim Boyle starts and David Blough may get time with the starters, will play the first half Sunday. After that, players who are on the bubble will get their final chance to make an impression and earn a roster spot.
This list could could certainly be longer, but here are five players to watch during the Lions’ preseason finale in Sunday.
5 players to watch during the Detroit Lions preseason finale
Credit: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
5. CB Jeff Okudah
Okudah’s competitor for the starting job opposite Amani Oruwariye, Will Harris, could share this spot.
Okudah had a steadier performance than Harris did in the second preseason game against the Colts, as Harris offered a glimpse of some of the issues he had when he played safety.
Okudah started that game against the Colts, while Harris played the same number of snaps (16), and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn made it clear he and Harris will have notable roles in the secondary.
But Okudah arguably has more at stake, as he works his way all the way back from a torn Achilles’. Sunday’s game is a chance for him to lock down a starting job and start his third NFL season on the right note.