The Detroit Lions notched their first preseason win Saturday with a 24-23 come-from-behind victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. There's only one more preseason game left before roster cuts, which means there's only a couple more weeks for players to make a final push for spots and playing time.
Here's a look at five players who helped themselves with their performances against Kansas City:
1. Quarterback Hendon Hooker
Hooker and Nate Sudfeld are battling to be Jared Goff's backup, and I thought Hooker showed a ton of poise and accuracy in just his second NFL game Saturday.
He completed 12 of his 15 passes for 150 yards with a 108.3 passer rating. He also rushed for a 7-yard touchdown on a really nice read and react play. He had a late fumble that nearly cost Detroit, but they overcame it.
"It felt good," Hooker said after the game. "Especially off a quick turnaround just getting cleared (from concussion protocol) and having one practice this week. It's huge. It's all about repetition and being put in different situations and seeing how I handle them. It's good to have a little adversity sometimes. It'll make you stronger for later on."
I thought Hooker looked poised for the most part and was a good decision maker all contest. I know his mom, Wendy, will be really happy he slid on his one scramble over the middle of the field too. I thought it was a good afternoon for him.
2. Wide receiver Isaiah Williams
It's the second week in a row Williams makes this list after leading Detroit in receiving for a second straight preseason contest. He caught six passes for 71 yards including an explosive 37-yard grab. He also had a key 20-yard punt return in the last couple minutes of the game to set up Jake Bates' game-winning 43-yard field goal.
Williams (5-10, 186) did a lot of his damage in the slot, but that's a position manned by one of the best receivers in the game in Amon-Ra St. Brown. How many reps can Williams get there if he makes the roster?
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said earlier in camp they'd like some size in the No. 4 receiver role. All Williams can do is control what he can control and continue to make plays. Kudos to him for doing just that.
Head coach Dan Campbell said after the game they might have to put Williams outside at the Z and see what he can do there. We know what he can do in the slot. What about on the outside, where the Lions really need someone to step up?
3. Safety Brandon Joseph
Going against quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' first-team offense to open the game, I thought the Lions' second-team secondary that started the game held their own.
Joseph has had a really nice camp. He has to lead the team in training camp interceptions. He forced a fumble against the Chiefs and had four tackles, including a special teams tackle.
He's one of those players who really excelled on the practice squad last year and was close to joining the active roster at the end of the year. He's taken advantage of more opportunity this year and has helped solidify the depth at safety for the Lions' defense.
4. Running back Sione Vaki
Vaki took four dump-down passes on a 15-play drive at the end of the first half and turned them into 60 yards. He had 82 yards on 10 touches in the game. He had a special teams tackle too.
I've been really impressed with what this youngster can do with the ball in his hands in open space and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He still has some growing to do in the running game, but that's to be expected with how limited his run in college was there. That just takes reps.
He's going to make an immediate impact on special teams, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's some third-down packages for him on offense along with Jahmyr Gibbs sooner rather than later.
5. Wide receiver Kaden Davis
Davis spent all of last season on the Cardinals practice squad and is getting an opportunity to make the 53-man roster in Detroit as the Lions continue to look for their depth at receiver behind St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond.
Davis has good size at 6-foot-1, 196 pounds and showed off the speed that has impressed in camp on a 61-yard touchdown catch against the Chiefs. Davis has made a bunch of plays in camp and hopes to be in the conversation for inclusion on the initial 53-man roster in a couple weeks. That touchdown will certainly catch a few eyes.
