The Detroit Lions set their initial 53-man roster on August 26, 2026, and the biggest surprise was who was not on it: wide receiver and punt returner Greg Dortch, who signed with the Buffalo Bills practice squad within a day. Joe Chapp and James break down the full 53, the 14-man practice squad that dropped live during this episode, why cornerback Ennis Rakestraw made the roster over more productive options, and what the Lions still have to fix before week one.
WHAT HAPPENED ON CUTDOWN DAY
Detroit kept five running backs and only four wide receivers. Tyler Conklin and Greg Dortch were both released. No Lions player was claimed off waivers by another team. Troy Reeder signed with the New York Jets practice squad. The initial Detroit practice squad came in at 14 players, two short of the 16 allowed.
THE PRACTICE SQUAD, AS ANNOUNCED
Luke Altmyer, Joe Bachie, Amarius Brown, Devin Cochran, Thomas Gordon, Lucky Jackson, Tom Kennedy, Anthony Lucas, Mason Miller, Chris Smith, Ben Stille, Nick Whiteside, Tyree West, plus linebacker Amen Ababgbemega. Eric Hunter, Tyler Conklin and Greg Dortch did not make it.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE
Why did the Detroit Lions cut Greg Dortch? Who returns punts for the Lions in week one? Should Ennis Rakestraw have made the 53-man roster? Is this the best front seven of the Brad Holmes era? Who wins the NFC North in 2026? Why does Jared Goff get sacked less than almost any quarterback in the league when pressured?
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro & 53-Man Roster Gymnastics
01:47 - Practice Squad Gymnastics & Early Additions
02:44 - Ben Bartsch, Mason Miller & Offensive Line Depth
08:21 - Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Roster Debate & Coverage Metrics
10:10 - Comparing Rakestraw to Historical Draft Pick Trends
13:15 - Secondary Depth: Amarius Brown & Keith Abney
19:26 - BREAKING: Greg Dortch Signs with Bills Practice Squad
20:09 - Why Cut Dortch? Speculating Dan Campbell & Roster Roles
24:03 - Jacob Saylors Preseason Breakout & Running Back Room
25:47 - Isiah Pacheco Injury Concerns & RB2 Outlook
27:37 - Defensive Line Standouts: Skylar Gil-Howard & Eric O'Neill
32:00 - Front 7 Deep Dive: Is This Brad Holmes' Deepest Group Yet?
32:29 - Linebacker Room: Jack Campbell's Rise & Devin White's Role
37:32 - Troy Reeder Disappointment & Linebacker Cuts
41:06 - Trevor Nowaske's Versatility & Sam Linebacker Role
45:24 - Greg Dortch to Buffalo Reaction & WR Depth Concerns
51:17 - NFC North Overview: Packers, Josh Jacobs & Off-Field News
53:41 - Vikings Quarterback Situation & Defensive Concerns
55:01 - Bears Offensive Line Losses & Caleb Williams' Bad Throw Rate
1:08:04 - Jared Goff vs. Caleb Williams: Pressure & Sack Metrics
1:09:57 - Interior D-Line Pressure: Alim McNeill & Tyleik Williams
1:17:55 - Calvin Sheppard's DC Growth & Play-Calling Dynamics
1:23:20 - Lions 2024 Unlucky Metrics: Fumble Recoveries & Penalties
1:29:38 - Injury Luck & Super Bowl Contender Trends
1:30:38 - BREAKING: Official 14-Player Practice Squad Announced
1:30:50 - Analyzing Practice Squad Additions: Whiteside, Stille & Kennedy
1:31:27 - Notable Omissions: Greg Dortch, Tyler Conklin & Eric Hunter
1:37:58 - Final Thoughts & Season Opener Outlook
