The Detroit Lions finally snagged a preseason win against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field this past Saturday, but honestly, the win was just a bonus. The real story here? The roster picture is getting clearer AND crazier all at once. We’re two preseason games deep with just one left, and some guys are absolutely tearing it up, making their case for a spot on the 53-man roster undeniable. Others? They’re making those position battles tighter than ever. The Lions coaching staff has to be stoked about a lot of what they saw.
Gill-Howard’s Motor Is Just Different
Last week, we saw Ahmed Hassanein dominate the trenches. This week, it was Skyler Gill-Howard’s turn to absolutely eat. After throwing down a couple of stellar, high-motor plays against the Cincinnati Bengals, Gill-Howard was playing full-throttle on nearly every snap against the Commanders. Seriously, if a pocket collapsed, this dude was probably right in the middle of it. He showed off crazy resilience and power, shrugging off double teams, but then flashing some real finesse and agility when he got a one-on-one. Remember that play where he teamed up with D.J. Wonnum for what looked like a sack on Sam Hartman? Yeah, it got called back on a defensive holding penalty in the secondary, but his presence was undeniable, early and often. The best part? He was even getting reps on early downs. Gill-Howard had been hanging out on the roster bubble for weeks, but after this performance? He’s stamped his spot, for real. Plus, the kid’s got moxie, breaking down the team huddle pregame. He’s got the juice.
Jackson Meeks Steps Up Big in the TE Room
With a big question mark looming over Sam LaPorta’s health, the Lions desperately needed someone in the tight end group to make a statement. Tyler Conklin had a few solid reps as a receiver and a blocker, but it was Jackson Meeks who absolutely made the biggest impact. As you’d expect in preseason, the offense spread the ball around, with 11 different Lions snagging a target. But Meeks was the go-to guy for both quarterbacks, turning six targets into four catches for 33 yards. His blocking? Still a work in progress, no doubt, but as a receiver, he is maximizing every single look he gets. And to cap off a killer game, Meeks went full beast mode and forced a fumble on a kickoff late in the fourth quarter, with Hunter scooping it up. That kind of special teams play, especially for a TE4 spot, is pure gold.
One more preseason game, that’s all that’s left on the schedule, and you know these guys are gonna leave everything on the field. The coaching staff has some brutally tough decisions coming up, but performances like Gill-Howard’s relentless motor and Meeks’ clutch receiving and special teams plays are making those choices a whole lot clearer for them, and a whole lot harder for anyone still fighting for a spot. Who’s gonna make the cut? We’ll find out soon enough.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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