Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week that roster cuts were very tough on him as a former player who knows the heart and soul the players put into trying to make the team. In the wake of the Lions’ 26-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second preseason game could force Campbell to make some tough decisions he wasn’t expecting.
With another wave of roster cuts due on Tuesday, Campbell opened up the possibility that there could be some upheaval to the expected depth chart and roster composition.
Campbell name-checked several Lions who impressed him in the second half, including LB Derrick Barnes, QB David Blough, RB Godwin Igwebuike, WR Tom Kennedy and S Jalen Elliott.
The “tale of two halves” as Campbell called it appeared to really impact the coach’s take on the depth chart and position battles.
“There’s some guys who are growing, who are getting better,” Campbell said with focused emphasis in his postgame press conference. “And there were some guys that maybe were counted out that have a chance of now making this team. And then there’s some ones that maybe everyone thought was going to make it and they’re not going to make it.”
Coach Campbell did not elaborate specifically on any players he was referencing, but anyone who watched the game can offer up a few educated guesses. Linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Jalen Reeves-Maybin left horrible impressions from viewing the first half in real-time. On the flip side, RB Craig Reynolds and the aforementioned Kennedy each turned in very strong and effective efforts in the second half.
The Lions have to cut the roster from 85 to 80 by Tuesday. Detroit’s final preseason game comes Friday night at home against the Indianapolis Colts.
