A new rule was put in place this season, allows teams to elevate up to two players from the practice squad each week, expanding the team’s active roster from 53- to 55-players on game day.
But with a moderately healthy roster this week, the Detroit Lions have elected to not elevate any players from the practice squad for their Week 3 game against the Arizona Cardinals and will enter the game with 53-players on their roster.
Another new rule this offseason is an expanded game-day roster, increasing it from 46- to 48-players, as long as eight offensive linemen are active. The Lions currently have nine healthy offensive linemen, therefore as long as they keep at least eight of them active for game-day, they can expand to 48-players on Sunday.
So, with 48-players allowed and 53-players on the roster, the Lions will only need to name five players inactive this week, instead of the traditional seven.
With Hunter Bryant ruled out on Friday’s injury report, and Desmond Trufant downgraded to out on Saturday, that means the Lions only need to declare three more players inactive.
Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Hal Vaitai (foot) are both listed as questionable and could be game-time decisions — though most expect them to start barring any issues during pre-game warmups.
C.J. Moore (groin) is also listed as questionable, and with his injury coming mid-week, he is much closer to a 50/50 decision than Golladay or Vaitai.
Of note: last week, EDGE Julian Okwara and CB Chris Jones were both healthy scratches, but with a new opponent on the schedule the Lions may opt to make some changes to their healthy scratches in Arizona.