The Detroit Lions have established their initial 53-man roster and filled out most of their practice squad (they still have one spot open) for the 2026 season, making it the perfect time to reset the depth chart. An NFL roster is never truly settled, as the Lions are constantly shifting, adjusting for injuries, and upgrading; this is where things stand as the regular season begins in just over a week.

To help out your viewing experience, here are a few keys to keep in mind when exploring this depth chart:

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• Players’ numbers are listed (in parentheses)

• Practice squad players are identified with a “PS” (in parentheses)

• Projected starters are bolded

• An asterisk* identifies rookies

• Injuries are noted after a player’s name/number

• Of note: Players often change numbers between now and the regular season

Lions depth chart: Initial 53-man roster

Quarterback (2 + 1 PS)

Running back (4)

• Jabari Small (26) — undisclosed (previous: knee/concussion)

Injured list

Wide receiver (4 + 3 PS)

Injured list

• Kendrick Law* (88) — Injured reserve/season-ending

Tight end (4 + 1 PS)

Offensive line (9 + 3 PS)

Projected starters for the regular season

• LG Christian Mahogany (73)

Reserves

• C Seth McLaughlin (65) — concussion

• OT Devin Cochran (77, PS)

• G/T Elijah Klein (TBD, PS)

Injured list

• C Cade Mays (64) — Injured reserve/eligible to return (wrist)

• OT Giovanni Manu (59) — Non-football injury (undisclosed)

Interior defensive line (5 + 3 PS)

• 3T/5T Levi Onwuzurike (95)

• 3T Skyler Gill-Howard* (50)

EDGE (6 + 1 PS)

• EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (97)

• Big End Ahmed Hassanein (99)

• Rush End Eric O’Neill* (66)

• Rush End Anthony Lucas* (61, PS)

Linebacker (6 + 2 PS)

• WILL Malcolm Rodriguez (44)

• MIKE Jimmy Rolder* (41) — hamstring

• SAM Trevor Nowaske (53) — leg

• WILL Amen Ogbongbemiga (57, PS)

Cornerback (6 + 1 PS)

• CB/NB Roger McCreary (21)

• CB Nick Whiteside (38, PS)

Safety (4 + 1 PS)

• NB/S Christian Izien (27) — undisclosed

• S Thomas Harper (12) — ankle

• DB Aamaris Brown* (42, PS)

Injured list

• S Brian Branch — PUP/eligible to return (Achilles)

• S Kerby Joseph — PUP/eligible to return (Knee)

Specialists (3)

Kick/punt specialists

• Kickoffs — Jake Bates (39)

• Punt Returners — Tom Kennedy (85)

• Kick Returners — Jacob Saylors (25) and Jabari Small (26)

• Gunners — Khalil Dorsey (30) and Christian Izien (27); Tay Martin (17)

• Personal protector (PP) — Sione Vaki (33); Avonte Maddox (29)

At-a-glance projected depth chart

Notes: 1) There are 13 starters listed on defense in order to illustrate who is in line for a starting role depending on the Lions’ Base vs. subpackage formations. 2) Practice squaders are listed with a slightly lighter position color.