Category: Lions News

Nate Sudfeld tore his ACL in the Lions’ preseason win over the Panthers

Sudfeld will miss the 2023 season after getting injured in the Lions’ preseason finale

Bad news on the injury front for Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld. He is expected to miss the 2023 season after tearing his ACL in Friday night’s exhibition win over the Carolina Panthers.

Sudfeld had an awkward step and fall while trying to outrun a tackle near the Panthers’ sideline. After being examined by Carolina’s training staff for several minutes, Sudfeld left the field on a cart.

Before Monday’s practice, Lions head coach Dan Campbell wouldn’t speculate on the extent of Sudfeld’s injury, saying,

“I’m not going to confirm that. He’s getting a second opinion right now.”

Per several reports, that second opinion is that the team’s backup QB in 2022 did indeed tear his ACL.

Campbell continued,

“Well, if it is the deal with Nate, it’s awful, and I hate that for him. That’s tough because Nate’s given us everything he’s had and he came in last year and brought something to us, and somebody we were very comfortable with, enough to sign him back. And so, I hate that if that’s the way it goes here.”

Sudfeld had fallen behind newcomer Teddy Bridgewater on the Lions depth chart as Jared Goff’s primary backup. There has been discussion about the concept of keeping both Bridgewater and Sudfeld on the 53-man roster early in the season, but that is now a moot point.

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The Lions have until Tuesday, August 29th at 4 p.m. ET to either release Sudfeld with an injury settlement or place him on injured reserve.

Dan Campbell explains why the Lions didn’t play starters at all in the preseason

Lions head coach Dan Campbell explains why he didn’t play Detroit’s starters at all in the preseason

Unless you were at Detroit Lions training camp, you haven’t seen Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson or any of the team’s starters in action yet in 2023. Head coach Dan Campbell elected to keep all the starters, as well as some key reserves, in street clothes on the sidelines for the team’s three preseason games.

Campbell was asked about the philosophy of not playing the starters in the preseason and the merits of not risking critical injuries versus getting game reps. He cited the physical nature of the Lions’ practices and the joint practice sessions with the Giants and Jaguars as key factors in the decision.

“For me, it was always going to be about — the nature of the way we practice,” Campbell said. “We’re pretty physical, I think relative to most teams in the league. And we had two joint practices, two teams that we had joint practices with that were going to be pretty physical.

To me, that was — those were going to serve as building blocks to get our core (starters) ready. Just knowing where we were this game at (preseason finale vs. the Panthers) relative to playing K.C. (the Chiefs in Week 1), at that point you’re under two weeks, I just didn’t feel like it was worth the risk.”

Campbell did acknowledge that several veteran starters did ask to get in some preseason action.

“Oh yeah, we got some of those guys,” Campbell said with a proud smile. He broke down the ripple effects of playing one starter and how it would lead to playing all starters, something that he just wasn’t comfortable doing.

“It’s either all or nothing in that regard, particularly offensively.”

The third-year coach did say,

“I feel good about what we did.”

Waived vs. released: What’s the difference for NFL players and teams?

Explaining the difference for NFL players being waived vs. being released and what it means for the teams

As NFL teams furiously make their roster cutdowns in advance of the 53-man deadline, there are a couple of different terms used when a team severs ties with a player.

Some players are “released” while others are “waived.” And while the net effect on the active roster is the same, they do have different effects on the players themselves.

It’s a pretty simple distinction between being waived and being released.

Players with at least four accrued NFL seasons of service time are released. They’re vested veterans. When a player gets released, it’s the end of his contract. He becomes free to sign with any other team and the Lions have nothing to do with any compensation (other than any dead cap room) any longer. That’s what happened with vet OL Germain Ifedi, who has been in the NFL since 2016.

For players with less than four seasons of service time, they are waived. Players who are waived are subject to waiver wire claims. Right now, the waiver claim order is based on the draft order (before any trades) from April, so the Chicago Bears have the first claim. All teams file claims at the same period, and the team with the highest waiver wire position gets both the player and his existing contract. Detroit sits 18th in the waiver wire order, so they will only be successful in making a claim if the 17 teams above them all fail to place a waiver claim on the player.

The waived players include anyone still on a rookie contract. A broader way of looking at it ties into free agency. Any player who is not eligible for unrestricted free agent status entering the year is subject to waiver claims.

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12 players projected to make the Lions practice squad

These 12 players from the Lions’ final preseason game roster should make the team’s 16-man practice squad

One of the first orders of business for the Detroit Lions following the conclusion of the roster cutdowns and initial waiver claim period is to form the 16-man practice squad. Teams can start signing players to the practice squad after Wednesday, August 30th at 12 p.m. ET.

Most teams prefer to stock the practice squad with players who were on the roster for the final preseason game. The Lions did that last year and are expected to do so once again.

Here are 12 Lions expected to be cut by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline who should make the practice squad.

Lions WR battle will be some closely watched roster cuts

The Detroit Lions have three wide receivers who are vying to make the team and they did make it easy for the Lions come roster cuts

The Detroit Lions finished their preseason on a high note by defeating the Carolina Panthers. However, their work is not done yet as they must decide on their final roster before facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Lions have already made some roster moves to try and find new homes for their veterans before Tuesday’s deadline.

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One of the toughest decisions the Lions face is determining who will be the WR 5-6 for the team. Each player vying for the position has shown potential and could justify making the team. This decision is especially important with the Jameson Williams suspension leaving a gap in the wide receiver room. The Lions will choose between Antonie Green, Dylan Drummond, and Chase Cota.

Antonie Green, the Lions’ seventh-round draft pick, has steadily improved throughout training camp and preseason games. His 70-yard touchdown against the Panthers showcased his speed and size, making him a potential matchup nightmare. Green also contributed to special teams assignments, which could prove to be crucial in securing his spot on the roster.

Dylan Drummond has shown consistency throughout camp and games, proving himself to be a reliable weapon. He has played the least amount of special teams snaps out of the three receivers, but whenever the Lions needed a play, he was the go-to playmaker. Drummond finished the preseason strong with great catches, solidifying his spot as a dependable receiver.

Chase Cota has also made a case for himself with his standout performances in preseason games. He led the receiving group with 60 yards in the Lions’ first preseason game against the Giants and had a touchdown catch in the Jaguars game. However, he dropped some passes in the Panthers game, including a potential touchdown. Cota did play the most special teams snaps among the three receivers, but Kalif Raymond has secured that spot.

The battle for the fifth and sixth WR positions is a closely monitored one, with each receiver showing potential. Drummond is the top choice for his dependability, while the decision between Cota and Green is a tough one. Ultimately, Green’s improvement and tangible skills make him the preferred choice. However, Cota could still develop his skills on the practice squad. It will be interesting to see which direction the Lions go in making this decision.

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This season confirms it: The Lions saved Hard Knocks

Hard Knocks had a hard time finding a team for the 2023 season but by looking back on their season with the Lions they found a blueprint.

HBO remains a staple in providing unique sports coverage for fans of every sort, except boxing. Something that had brought people in was the combat sport of boxing but in 2002 they decided to invest in a different combative sport, football. Since 2002, HBO has had the show Hard Knocks which has been a staple for its coverage of an NFL training camp.

Despite NFL teams’ growing doom and gloom about it, it serves a purpose. That purpose allows fans to invest more than usual in their team. People who watch it see the day-to-day success and struggles that coaches and players have. Within that, the Detroit Lions after being featured in 2022 became “America’s Team” without having to have an Arkansas oil tycoon signing their checks and putting a star on their helmet.

The things we all saw from coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes left everyone smiling and cheering for the Lions. Their season on HBO saved the series and is now seeing it ride and wave of momentum as they cover the New York Jets.

The Lions saved Hard Knocks, let’s explain.

The Lions Coaching Staff and Their Attitudes

The tone was set in the first episode of the Lions Hard Knocks season when Dan Campbell ended things with a Metallica lyric. Fans watching would see a passionate coach, a staff that wanted to win, and all that is the same now with the Jets. 

This season with the Jets, we are seeing the same thing out of Robert Saleh and his staff. The line “all gas, no brake” is oxygen in the building for that team. Pair that with Nathaniel Hackett on a redemption tour as well as the position coaches being honest with players, the blueprint is being followed. They don’t have to sell themselves, the Lions sure didn’t. 

Being genuine is what goes the furthest.

Characters on a Team Create Ratings

Obviously, the Jets will be following around their newest addition, quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The former Packers quarterback has shown a different side than he has let on in years and interviews prior and it has paid off. Having a fun character to cling to makes things easy for fans to come back to, for Lions fans that was Jamaal Williams.

While Williams sadly is now a New Orleans Saint, he showed that year just how much fun the show can be with a character like him. With Williams, you never knew what he was going to say. For Rodgers in 2023, it is almost the same thing, but so far there has been nothing but a positive experience — which was the case for Williams. Find the happy player, get ratings, and further or build a brand for him, that is what Hard Knocks started with the Lions.

A Redemption Story is Needed

The Detroit Lions in 2022 had expectations, somewhat. Realistically, they had low expectations, but they expected to see an uptick in their momentum and to say that is what happened is the bare minimum you can do. The Lions rode different waves all season long, but they ended it with a hallmark win to keep the Packers out of the playoffs by winning at Lambeau Field to end the year. 

For the Jets, there are some people who are whispering they can handle the Chiefs and maybe sneak into representing the AFC in the Super Bowl. Despite not seeing Aaron Rodgers this preseason until the finale, which didn’t disappoint, the wave the Jets are riding is similar to the Lions. Their expectations are higher but expectations are the thing we are looking at here. Like any good movie, you expect a good story, the Lions delivered it and so far the Jets have followed suit.

Video: Detroit Lions Podcast predicts the 53-man roster and more

Video: Detroit Lions Podcast predicts the 53-man roster and wraps up the preseason

A special weekend edition of the Detroit Lions Podcast is now available for streaming or download. This show, recorded live on Saturday, puts a bow on the Lions preseason and spins forward to the task of getting down to 53 players.

The first part of the show covers Friday night’s triumph in Carolina in the final exhibition game. Which players stood out and which ones faltered a little? There is also a discussion on the injuries from the game.

Then comes the 53-man roster projection. Position by position, who makes it and who does not? There is a focus on team constitution; the concept of keeping a sixth WR or a fifth RB and the ripple effects that would have at other positions, as an example.

Lions release DT Christian Covington ahead of roster cutdown deadline

Covington was the oldest player on the Lions defense

The first of what will be 36 roster cuts by the Detroit Lions between now and Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline is complete. The Lions released veteran defensive lineman Christian Covington on Saturday. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network was the first to report the news.

Covington was the oldest member of the Detroit defense at just 29 years old. The Canadian was hoping to latch on in Detroit after prior starting stints with the Texans and Chargers.

He started out by getting some first-team reps early on, but those quickly faded into a reserve role. A healthy return from Levi Onwuzurike and the emergence of Benito Jones left the Lions with little need for Covington on the 53-man roster.

Detroit is now down to 88 players. Saivion Smith was waived with an injury designation during the week and was not replaced.

Report: Lions were in on the Trey Lance trade talks

The Detroit Lions were reportedly included in the Trey Lance trade talks before the 49ers traded him to the Cowboys

Trey Lance is now a member of the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas swooped in and traded a 2024 fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

The 49ers had lost interest in further developing Lance, whom they traded multiple picks to acquire in the draft less than three years ago. Lance lost the No. 2 QB spot in San Francisco to journeyman Sam Darnold.

Per one report, the Detroit Lions were at least somewhat involved in the trade discussion with the 49ers surrounding Lance. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on the Lions level of involvement.

In her post on X (formerly Twitter), Russini mentioned the Lions “showed interest” in Lance, but did not elaborate beyond that. She also noted that the 49ers desired to trade the quarterback to an AFC team and mentioned the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens as other teams that were involved in the trade discussion.

The Lions were strongly rumored to be interested in Lance as a prospect back in the 2021 draft. That was GM Brad Holmes’ first year in Detroit.

Nate Sudfeld’s knee injury makes the Lions QB decision easier

Nate Sudfeld’s knee injury makes the Lions QB decision easier when making the final 53-man roster

Not long after taking over for Teddy Bridgewater in the Detroit Lions’ preseason win over the Carolina Panthers, reserve QB Nate Sudfeld went down awkwardly on the Carolina sideline after a run. He stayed down and was tended to by the Panthers training staff before leaving the field on a cart.

After the game, head coach Dan Campbell didn’t give a big update on Sudfeld’s status. Campbell did offer that Sudfeld suffered a hyperextension and could “be out for a bit.”

The only question now is if Sudfeld will be out of a Lions uniform while he recuperates from the injury. A hyperextended knee is often a 4-week recovery, depending on associated factors. With the season starting in 12 days, that timeline pushes Sudfeld into being out for at least the first couple of games.

Now clearly the No. 3 quarterback in Detroit behind Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater, Sudfeld was extremely unlikely to ever see the field in the regular season to begin with. Bridgewater outdueled Sudfeld in the battle for No. 2, something that was abundantly clear on Friday night in Charlotte. The injury gives the Lions some clearer options on what to do with Sudfeld.

The most obvious is to waive Sudfeld with an injury designation. It’s the same move the team made with Saivion Smith and Denzel Mims recently. If Sudfeld clears waivers—which seems likely—he would revert to the Lions’ injured reserve list.

If the Lions really value Sudfeld enough to keep him on the active roster, he could slide through on the initial 53-man roster and then immediately get placed on injured reserve. That would keep Sudfeld out for a minimum of four games, which should be plenty of time for him to heal, barring any complications or a different diagnosis.

There is some appeal to this option, as it makes for an easy way to clear a roster spot for any player whom the Lions might claim off waivers after Tuesday’s initial cutdown. Of course, it means another player on the roster bubble gets popped on Tuesday. That exposes someone at a more imperative roster position than a “break the glass” emergency QB to being lost to another team.

Either way, the knee injury appears to be an unfortunate ending to Sudfeld’s stint as the Lions’ No. 2 quarterback. With undrafted rookie Adrian Martinez no real threat to get claimed on the waiver wire, the Lions can now stash the third QB on the practice squad and keep an extra linebacker, wide receiver or offensive lineman in its place.