In roughly 24 hours the Lions will have whittled their roster from 90 to an initial 53. The 16-man practice squad will start to come together on Wednesday, and then 100 percent of head coach Dan Campbell's focus turns to the season opener Sept. 7 in Kansas City.
Campbell spoke to the media Monday morning. Here are the key questions from that session:
How close are Campbell and GM Brad Holmes to getting to their initial 53?
Campbell said this has been the toughest round of cuts since taking over as head coach in 2021. That's a reflection of the job Holmes and his staff have done building up this roster over the last three seasons.
"Yeah, it's a lot different. It's a lot different," Campbell said. "I do feel like that we are more talented and it's not just more talented, but the players that we're letting go too are – man, just the way they're made up, I mean any team would love to have them. The way they work, they're smart, they're pretty instinctive guys, and they've produced. They've got good tape. So, we are, we're far better off."
Campbell said he and Holmes are 'close' to getting down to 53 but there are still some moving pieces on some internal decisions and then who becomes available around the league from the 1,100 or so players around the league who will be released or waived by Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline.
Did the final preseason game in Carolina last week help or hurt some players?
There were a number of good performances put in at positions where there's expected to be tough decisions, particularly at cornerback and wide receiver.
Cornerbacks Chase Lucas, Khalil Dorsey and Steven Gilmore all played well. So did receivers Antoine Green and Dylan Drummond. Was it good enough for inclusion on the 53?
"Yeah, I would say it certainly affected a few guys," Campbell said. "It certainly did. There were some really good performances in there. A lot of guys did some really good things."
Why is the creation of a solid practice squad starting Wednesday so important to Campbell?
Campbell views the formation of the 16-man practice squad as a very important step in the overall roster building process. In fact, Campbell referred to the roster as a 69-man roster and not just 53 because there will likely be multiple points throughout the season where a practice squad player will need to join the active roster and be asked to play an important role on this team.
"I mean they're very much a part of our team and they need to think that way," he said. "I want them to think that way. It's a 53-man roster, but it's really not ... it's a 69-man team is what it is, and that's kind of how we view it. These guys are all on the same team. We all help each other out and every one of those guys, there's a good chance, they're going to play for us."
Is there any update on quarterback Nate Sudfeld's injury?
Campbell didn't provide any specifics as Sudfeld seeks a second opinion, but ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Sudfeld suffered a torn ACL after he left the game in the third quarter of last Friday's preseason finale.
What that means for the Lions keeping two or three quarterbacks in the initial 53-man roster is yet to be determined, but it's certainly tough news for Sudfeld, who had a good spring and camp.
"Well, if it is the deal with Nate, it's awful, and I hate that for him," Campbell said Monday of the potential for the prognosis to be serious after Sudfeld gets a second opinion. "That's tough because Nate's given us everything he's had and he came in last year and brought something to us, and somebody we were very comfortable with, enough to sign him back. And so, I hate that if that's the way it goes here."
Campbell did reiterate their faith in backup Teddy Bridgewater and his ability to step in, play well and win games if asked to do so at any point this season.
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. Carolina Panthers preseason Week 3 game at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, Aug. 25 in Charlotte, NC.
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Clark (17) meet before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jason Moore (29) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (19) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96) before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88), Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35), and Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21), Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), and Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) walk out for the coin toss before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) kicks off during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) and Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) sack Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Brad Cecil (64) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Brad Cecil (64), Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74), and Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Germain Ifedi (70) and Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) celebrate after a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Trinity Benson (19) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (17), and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Brad Cecil (64) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Germain Ifedi (70) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (59) and Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (27) celebrates after an interception during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) scores a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83), Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80), and Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) celebrate after a touchdown during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) recovers a fumble during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) and Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Darrell Daniels (86) and Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Devine Ozigbo (30) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Bobby Hart (51), Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18), Detroit Lions center Alex Mollette (61), and Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (69) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Connor Galvin (76) and Detroit Lions running back Benny Snell (38) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota (88) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (92) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (98) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez (18) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly (47) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35), Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (27), and Detroit Lions safety Scott Nelson (48) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Colby Richardson (24) breaks up a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Cory Durden (90) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brady Breeze (35) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Daniel Helm (43) during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) intercepts a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) intercepts a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36) intercepts a pass during a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
What about the status of cornerback Emmanuel Moseley?
Moseley has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list all of training camp as he continues to rehab a torn ACL suffered last October while he was with San Francisco.
"Eman's doing well, but he's somebody we'll discuss tonight on whether – do we keep him on PUP, do we take him off?" Campbell said. "He's close, but he's doing well."
If Moseley stays on the PUP list he'll have to miss the first four games of the season. He's been running and working off to the side of practice in recent weeks. The fact that there's a discussion being had about taking him off PUP is good news for Detroit's defense as they might get another important player back in their secondary sooner rather than later.
