The Detroit Lions head into their final preseason game with some choices to make at quarterback and receiver, while fourth-round draft pick Sione Vaki seems to have secured a spot on the roster.
Coach Dan Campbell mentioned on Tuesday that there are still five or six roster spots open before the final cutdown to 53 players on August 27. The Lions will play their last preseason game against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
“I told the team this morning — for a number of those guys — that there are still open spots here, so if you want it, go get it,” Campbell said.
The backup quarterback position between Nate Sudfeld and Hendon Hooker is still undecided. Sudfeld started the first two preseason games, but Campbell expects Hooker to start on Saturday. Hooker would have started against the Chiefs but was delayed due to a concussion.
“We certainly want to give him a good look; we’d love to get him a lot of reps this week,” Campbell said. “We’d love to start him this week and then see how much he plays.”
Hooker took the second-team reps in Tuesday’s practice.
“What we know about Hooker is, he’s a young developing quarterback who needs reps and time,” Campbell said.
“Nate has the upper hand right now because he’s played more and has more experience. So, there’s a good chance we could keep three quarterbacks. Am I 100 percent certain right now? No, but that’s what we’re looking at.”
Wide receivers fighting for the fourth and/or fifth spots include Daurice Fountain, Donovan Peoples-Jones, rookie Isaiah Williams, and Kaden Davis.
