Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Detroit Lions had their final dress rehearsal before the start of the 2024 regular season and came out on top with a 24-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in preseason Week 3.
Detroit didn’t play any of its starters, so that gave backups who are looking to secure a spot and a role on the initial 53-man roster to show their stuff one last time. While some players helped their cause, others did not.
The Lions will have to cut their roster down to 53 players by the deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and after that they’ll look to the waiver wire and free-agent market for any players who can shore up any remaining holes.
In the meantime, here’s a look at the biggest winners and losers from Saturday’s win over the Steelers.
Detroit Lions winners and losers
Winner: WR Isaiah Williams
Williams only had one catch for 17 yards, but that was enough to cement his status as the most consistent receiver throughout the preseason. He also made an impact in the return game once again. Williams has definitely done enough to earn a roster spot, but head coach Dan Campbell admitted that the UDFA being a slot specialist could hurt his cause.
Loser: QB Hendon Hooker
Hooker had a terrible start to the game before rebounding and putting together a solid performance overall. However, he still fumbled twice (lost one) and threw a pick on top of taking sacks because he held on to the ball too long. Hooker likely didn’t do enough to supplant Nate Sudfeld, who Campbell said had the “upper hand” ahead of the preseason finale. Sudfeld didn’t play a single snap, which figures to be an indication that he’s locked into the QB2 job for now.
Winner: WR Maurice Alexander
After a disastrous preseason Week 1, Alexander has settled in nicely with a few productive games as a pass-catcher. He led all receivers with 60 yards on four catches, giving him a shot to make the cut.
Loser: K Jake Bates
Bates is going to start the season as the Lions’ kicker, but his performance Saturday was a reminder that Detroit needs to carry a kicker on the practice squad just in case. Bates missed a 30-yard field goal and nearly misfired on a 46-yarder later in the game. His showing comes one week after he missed an extra point, also.
Winner: EDGE Isaac Ukwu
Ukwu, who has received praise from Campbell a few times this offseason, tallied another sack on Saturday, giving him one in each game this preseason. The UDFA has a good chance to make the cut.
Loser: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
Capping off what has been a disappointing offseason for the veteran, DPJ didn’t bring in any of his three targets on Saturday. He’ll likely still be the No. 4 receiver on the depth chart, but not because he blew the Lions away.
Winner: EDGE James Houston
Campbell admitted he’s got a “hard decision” when it comes to keeping Houston on the 53-man roster to start the season. But Houston no doubt helped his cause with a sack against the Steelers.
Loser: TE James Mitchell
Mitchell has been non-existent throughout the offfseason and that didn’t change in preseason Week 3, when he failed to catch his lone target. The former fifth-round pick is in danger of being cut by Tuesday.
Winner: TE Shane Zylstra
On the opposite side of the tight end spectrum, Zylstra managed to stand out with four catches for 29 yards, the third-most on the team. Zylstra has a better shot than Mitchell to make the cut.