Tag: game day

Detroit Lions Week 2: Comprehensive depth chart

Organizing the Detroit Lions depth chart as they travel to Green Bay in Week 2 for a matchup with the Packers.

In this comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions roster, we will be examining not only the positional depth chart but also looking at who coaches will turn to in specific situations, including who will step up in case of injury.

Here’s a look at the Lions depth chart as they travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers in Week 2 of the 2020 season.

Note: Starters will be listed in BOLD and you will see some players listed more than once as they have multiple roles.

Quarterback

  • Matthew Stafford (9)
  • Chase Daniel (4)

Running back

  • Adrian Peterson (28)
  • Kerryon Johnson (33)
  • D’Andre Swift (32)
  • Ty Johnson (31)

Third Down back

  • D’Andre Swift (32)
  • Ty Johnson (31)
  • Jamal Agnew (39) — gadget option

Fullback

Wide receiver

  • Kenny Golladay (19) — Ruled OUT
  • Marvin Jones Jr. (11)
  • Danny Amendola (80)
  • Quintez Cephus (87)
  • Marvin Hall (17)
  • Jamal Agnew (39)

Slot receiver

  • Danny Amendola (80)
  • Jamal Agnew (39)

Tight end

  • T.J. Hockenson (88)
  • Jesse James (83)
  • Hunter Bryant (86) — Ruled OUT

Expected starting offensive line

Reserve offensive line

  • Note: OL Kenny Wiggins (79) was signed to the active roster
  • LT – Tyrell Crosby (65), Matt Nelson (67)
  • LG – Kenny Wiggins (79), Logan Stenberg (61)
  • C – Jonah Jackson (73), Logan Stenberg (61)
  • RG – Kenny Wiggins (79), Logan Stenberg (61)
  • RT – Tyrell Crosby (65), Matt Nelson (67), Kenny Wiggins (79)

Interior defensive line

EDGE Rushers

  • Trey Flowers (90) — DDE, 3T
  • Romeo Okwara (95) — DDE, 3T, JACK
  • Julian Okwara (99) — JACK — Questionable

Off-the-ball linebacker

  • Jamie Collins (58), WILL, JACK, MIKE
  • Jahlani Tavai (51), MIKE, WILL, JACK
  • Christian Jones (52), JACK, WILL
  • Jarrad Davis (40), MIKE, WILL
  • Reggie Ragland (59), WILL, JACK, MIKE
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44), MIKE, WILL
  • Elijah Lee (55), WILL, MIKE
  • Miles Killebrew (35), WILL, HANG

Cornerback

Slot cornerback

Safety

  • Duron Harmon (26), Single-high, Slot, JOKER
  • Tracy Walker (21), JOKER, Single-high, Slot
  • Will Harris (25), Slot, JOKER
  • C.J. Moore (49), Single-high, Slot — Questionable
  • Miles Killebrew (35), Slot, JOKER

Third-safety

  • Will Harris (25)
  • Miles Killebrew (35)

Kicking team

  • Matt Prater (5) — placekicker
  • Jack Fox (3)– punter, holder, kickoffs
  • Don Muhlbach (48) — long snapper

Kick returns

  • Jamal Agnew (39) — kick returner and punt returner
  • Danny Amendola (80) — reserve punt returner
  • Marvin Hall (17) –reserve kick returner

Kick coverage

  • Tony McRae —  gunner
  • Dee Virgin — gunnner
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) — five-phase specialist
  • Miles Killebrew (35) — five-phase specialist
  • Elijah Lee (55) — five-phase specialist
  • Jason Cabinda (53) — five-phase specialist
  • Will Harris (25) — Personal Protector (PP)

Teams final injury reports

Detroit Lions Week 1 inactives: Kenny Golladay, Jeff Okudah OUT

The Detroit Lions have declared their Game Day inactives for their Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears.

The Detroit Lions have declared their Game Day inactives for their Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears.

In previous seasons, teams would have to remove seven players from their 53-man roster on game days, but in the COVID-19 environment of 2020, things are a bit different this season with more moving parts.

The first notable change to the Lions roster for this game was that it was expanded from 53 to 55 players yesterday with the practice squad elevations of OL Kenny Wiggins and RB Jonathan Williams. Wiggins and Williams will return to the practice squad tomorrow and neither will be subjected to waivers as this is their first elevation each.

Another rule the Lions will be taking advantage of today is the expanded game-day roster. By keeping eight offensive linemen active today, the roster can be increased from 46 to 48-players.

Bottom line: By adhering to the new protocols, the Lions still only have to decare seven players inactive for Week 1 — with the active roster and game-day roster both being increased by two players — and will have two additional players on the sidelines for today’s game.

Week 1 inactives list

  • WR Kenny Golladay, hamstring
  • CB Jeff Okudah, hamstring — reported earlier he would not play
  • RT Hal Vaitai, foot injury — ruled OUT on Friday’s injury report
  • TE Hunter Bryant, hamstring — previously ruled OUT
  • S C.J. Moore, hamstring — previously ruled OUT
  • G Logan Stenberg
  • RB Jonathan Williams

Golladay will likely be replaced by several reserve wide receivers with Marvin Hall likely being the next man up in the starting lineup.

Vaitai’s right tackle spot is expected to be occupied by third-year offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby, who has seven career starts over 26 games played — including six at right tackle.

Okudah was in a battle for a starting role with second-year corner Amani Oruwariye, who is expected to start alongside Desmond Trufant and Justin Coleman.

Bryant being ruled out leaves the Lions with only two tight ends active, so keep an eye out for an extra offensive lineman when the offense goes into big sets — Wiggins and Oday Aboushi could see time in this role.

Moore missing today’s game will be felt more on special teams than defense and it’s unclear who will replace him in the third phase, but it will most likely be a combination of defensive backs like Darryl Roberts and Will Harris.

Despite being promoted yesterday, Williams is inactive, this likely means rookie running back D’Andre Swift is fully healthy and Williams’ promotion was just for insurance purposes.

Bears Inactives

Lions Week 1: Comprehensive depth chart

Organizing the Detroit Lions depth chart as they open the 2020 regular season with a Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears.

In this comprehensive look at the Detroit Lions roster, we will be examining not only the positional depth chart but also looking at who coaches will turn to in specific situations, including who will step up in case of injury.

Here’s a look at the Lions depth chart as they open the 2020 regular season with a Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears.

Note: Starters will be listed in BOLD and you will see some players listed more than once as they have multiple roles.

Quarterback

  • Matthew Stafford (9)
  • Chase Daniel (4)

Running back

Third Down back

  • D’Andre Swift (32)
  • Ty Johnson (31)
  • Jamal Agnew (39) — gadget option

Fullback

  • Jason Cabinda (53)

Wide receiver

  • Kenny Golladay (19) — Doubtful
  • Marvin Jones Jr. (11)
  • Danny Amendola (80) — Questionable
  • Marvin Hall (17)
  • Quintez Cephus (87)
  • Jamal Agnew (39)

Slot receiver

  • Danny Amendola (80) — Questionable
  • Jamal Agnew (39)
  • Quintez Cephus (87)

Tight end

  • T.J. Hockenson (88)
  • Jesse James (83)
  • Hunter Bryant (86) — Ruled OUT

Starting offensive line

  • LT — Taylor Decker (68)
  • LG — Joe Dhl (66)
  • C — Frank Ragnow (77)
  • RG — Jonah Jackson (73)
  • New RT — Tyrell Crosby (65)
  • RT Hal Vaitai (72) — Ruled OUT

Reserve offensive line

  • Note: Kenny Wiggins was a practice squad promotion this week
  • LT – Matt Nelson (67)
  • LG – Oday Aboushi (76), Kenny Wiggins (79), Logan Stenberg (61)
  • C – Joe Dahl (66), Jonah Jackson (73), Logan Stenberg (61)
  • RG – Oday Aboushi (76), Kenny Wiggins (79), Logan Stenberg (61)
  • RT – Matt Nelson (67), Kenny Wiggins (79)

Interior defensive line

  • Danny Shelton (71), NT
  • Nick Williams (97), DT, Big DE
  • Da’Shawn Hand (93), Big DE, DT — Questionable
  • John Penisini (91), NT

EDGE Rushers

  • Trey Flowers (90) — DDE, 3T
  • Romeo Okwara (95) — DDE, 3T, JACK
  • Julian Okwara (99) — JACK — Questionable

Off-the-ball linebacker

  • Jamie Collins (58), WILL, JACK, MIKE
  • Jarrad Davis (40), MIKE, WILL
  • Christian Jones (52), JACK, WILL
  • Jahlani Tavai (51), MIKE, WILL, JACK
  • Reggie Ragland (59), WILL, JACK, MIKE
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44), MIKE, WILL
  • Elijah Lee (55), WILL, MIKE
  • Miles Killebrew (35), WILL, HANG

Cornerback

Slot cornerback

  • Justin Coleman (27)
  • Tony Mcrae (34)

Safety

  • Tracy Walker (21), JOKER, Single-high, Slot
  • Duron Harmon (26), Single-high, Slot, JOKER
  • Will Harris (25), Slot, JOKER
  • C.J. Moore (49), Single-high, Slot — Ruled OUT
  • Miles Killebrew (35), Slot, JOKER

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Third-safety

  • Will Harris (25)
  • Miles Killebrew (35)

Kicking team

  • Matt Prater (5) — placekicker
  • Jack Fox (3)– punter, holder, kickoffs
  • Don Muhlbach (48) — long snapper

Kick returns

  • Jamal Agnew (39) — kick returner and punt returner
  • Danny Amendola (80) — reserve punt returner
  • Marvin Hall (17) –reserve kick returner

Kick coverage

  • Tony McRae —  gunner
  • Darryl Roberts — presumed starting gunnner, if healthy
  • Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) — five-phase specialist
  • Miles Killebrew (35) — five-phase specialist
  • Elijah Lee (55) — five-phase specialist
  • Jason Cabinda (53) — five-phase specialist
  • Will Harris (25) — Personal Protector (PP)

Teams final injury reports

NFL sets game-day safety protocols, restrictions ahead of 2020 season

The NFL has now set some initial game-day safety protocols ahead of the 2020 season to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.

The National Football League is busy preparing for the start of the 2020 NFL season despite the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the country.

With training camps set to kick off at the end of the month, the league has now issued some initial game-day protocols to ensure the safety of players, coaching staff and fans – should they actually be allowed into stadiums.

“NFL teams will be forbidden from postgame interactions within 6 feet of each other and jersey exchanges between players will be prohibited during the 2020 season, sources say,” NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweeted on Thursday. “Another way the NFL will look different in the COVID-19 world.”

Pelissero later included some other restrictions to be put into place on game-day, including the ban of on-field fan seating, the requirement both teams arrive at the stadium via bus and the ban of media from the locker rooms.

Clearly, more protocols need to be put into place to ensure safety for all, but these initial mandates are at least a start.

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Tracy Porter officially retires, will be honored during Saints-Vikings game

Saints cornerback Tracy Porter’s interception of Brett Favre is the stuff of legends. So it’s fitting that he’ll retire against the Vikings.

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Here’s an added element to the energy surrounding Sunday’s wild-card round playoff game between the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings. Former Saints cornerback Tracy Porter is officially announcing his retirement from professional football, and will be recognized for his contributions to Saints history during this week’s game day festivities. This is sure to sit well with any visiting Vikings fans.

Porter, of course, rose to prominence during the Saints’ first Super Bowl run, particularly the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Porter intercepted then-Vikings quarterback Brett Favre in the closing seconds of regulation to force the game into overtime, which the Saints won off of a legendary Garrett Hartley field goal. Porter also intercepted Peyton Manning to seal the win in Super Bowl XLIV, returning that turnover for a championship-clinching defensive touchdown. Those are some serious credentials to pad out your resume with.

Sure, Porter’s retirement now is more of a formality — he hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2016, which he spent with the Chicago Bears. But this is a perfect opportunity for fans remember his contributions and maybe rile up the Superdome crowd. And if it happens to tweak some salty Vikings faithful — well, take it up with Favre for throwing that awful interception across his body. He and Adrian Peterson were giving away fumbles and interceptions like they were going out of style (the Vikings committed eight turnovers as a team in that conference title game). It’s not the Saints’ fault for capitalizing on Minnesota’s mistakes. But by goodness are we going to celebrate it.

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