Lions jersey number changes and new player number choices

Now that the Detroit Lions have new uniforms and jersey designs, a few of the players on the Lions roster decided to change up their numbers. The newcomers in free agency have also made their number selections ahead of the influx of rookies from the 2024 NFL draft, too.

Most of the changes from players who were on the team last year involve reclaiming old numbers worn on other teams, or changing up to a more aesthetically appealing number that was taken by someone else in 2023.

2 – Hendon Hooker

Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker works out after minicamp on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Allen Park.

Hooker switched from 12 to 2

8 – Nate Sudfeld

Dec 24, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) on the field during warm ups at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Sudfeld wore No. 10 last year

10 – Tre’Quan Smith

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Smith reclaims the No. 10 jersey he wore while playing WR with the Saints

12 – Daurice Fountain

Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain runs a drill at practice at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

Fountain had been wearing No. 84 for Detroit.

18 – Antoine Green

Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green warms up before the game vs. the Carolina Panthers at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023.

Green wore No. 80 in Detroit in his rookie season

21 – Amik Robertson

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Robertson will wear the same No. 21 in Detroit that he rocked in Las Vegas.

23 – Carlton Davis

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis III (24) defends a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) in the second quarter during a Week 15 NFL game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dec 18 2069

The new Lions cornerback gets a new number in Detroit with 23 after wearing No. 24 in Tampa Bay.

27 – Zonovan Knight

Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (28) leaves the game injured during second-half action at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct, 8, 2023.

Knight changed from No. 28 to No. 27 for his second season in Detroit playing running back.

28 – Jermar Jefferson

Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) hurdles over Indianapolis Colts safety George Odum (30) during the first half of a preseason game at Ford Field in Detroit, Friday, August 27, 2021.

Jefferson has switched back to the No. 28 he wore earlier in his Lions career. The RB was No. 39 last year.

52 – Netane Muti

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: Guard Netane Muti #54 of the Las Vegas Raiders leaves the field after the Raiders’ 34-7 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Muti wore 52 when he played guard for the Broncos before playing in No. 54 for the Raiders.

71 – Kevin Zeitler

OWINGS MILLS, MD – JULY 28: Kevin Zeitler #70 of the Baltimore Ravens laughs during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on July 28, 2021 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Zeitler will wear No. 71 in Detroit after playing as No. 70 for many teams and many years.

84 – Shane Zylstra

Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) walks off the field after practice during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters in Allen Park on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Zylstra kept his No. 84 that he wore prior to being injured in training camp last year. Daurice Fountain claimed the 84 after Zylstra’s injury.

92 – Marcus Davenport

Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Davenport will play in No. 92, the number he wore for the Saints for years.

95 – Mathieu Betts

Nov 13, 2022; Winnigeg, Manitoba, CAN; BC Lions defensive lineman Mathieu Betts (90) tries to block a pass by Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8) in the first half at Investors Group Field. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports

Betts claims the No. 95 previously worn by Romeo Okwara

98 – DJ Reader

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reader will wear the same No. 98 he played in during his stops in Houston and Cincinnati