Very few starters took to the field for the Detroit Lions in Saturday’s 27-26 exhibition victory in Indianapolis over the host Colts. It was the backups and depth on center stage, with several direct position battle competitions playing out.
On offense, Tommy Kraemer and Logan Stenberg are effectively battling for the same reserve interior offensive line role. Both Kraemer and Stenberg played all 74 offensive snaps, the only offensive players to never leave the field.
Quick takeaways from the Lions vs. Colts preseason game
The battle for the fourth tackle also saw an even snap count between Dan Skipper and Kendall Lamm, who each played 48. Matt Nelson, the presumptive No. 3 OT, played 32 reps and undrafted rookie Obinna Eze saw 20 snaps.
At running back, four different players saw exactly seven carries. But they got those attempts in varying snaps. Craig Reynolds, who started the game, played just 11. Jermar Jefferson topped the rep list at 25, followed by Justin Jackson at 20 and Godwin Igwebiuke at 18.
On defense, safeties Kerby Joseph and JuJu Hughes both played all 52 snaps. Regular starters Tracy Walker and DeShon Elliott both sat out, as did top reserve C.J. Moore and injured Ifeatu Melifonwu.
Linebacker is a heated battle, and the snap count reflects the Lions trying to see what they’ve got. Malcolm Rodriguez started and played just 12 snaps, a good sign he’s shown enough to be in the position’s top two with Alex Anzalone–who did not play. Derrick Barnes was the other starter and he logged 16. Josh Woods topped the list at 28, followed by Shaun Dion Hamilton (23) and Jarrad David (18). Rookie James Houston played 23 snaps but aligned exclusively as a rush EDGE.