What Lions Snap Counts Against Texans Reveal

The Detroit Lions got one last look at their full depth in the preseason on Saturday.

A 26-7 defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans, Detroit's final preseason game was the last chance for players on the fringes of the roster to prove they belong on the team. Detroit's front office must whittle the roster down to 53 players by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

With cuts looming, Saturday's snap count distribution could wind up being very telling when it comes to what the Lions have in mind for a number of players.

Here's what the Lions' snap counts against the Texans reveals ahead of the impending roster cuts.

Quarterbacks

• Hendon Hooker — (24) 65%
• Kyle Allen — (13) 35%

Allen led two drives, the latter ending with a touchdown, and exited. This allowed the Lions to get a long look at Hooker, and the results were underwhelming. Detroit now faces a decision on whether or not to carry three quarterbacks and continue Hooker's development, or move on and entrust Allen with the backup duties.

Running backs

• Jacob Saylors — (17) 46% — Seven special teams snaps (37%)
• Craig Reynolds — (10) 27% — Four special teams snaps (21%)
• Deon Jackson — (10) 27% — One special teams snap (5%)

With Sione Vaki once again out of action, the Lions split action between their other three options. Saylor took the largest chunk of the action, but it's difficult to say that he's done enough to usurp the veteran Reynolds for a reserve running back role.

Wide receivers

• Dominic Lovett — (24) 65% — Nine special teams snaps (47%)
• Ronnie Bell — (18) 49% — Five special teams snaps (26%)
• Tom Kennedy — (17) 46% — Two special teams snaps (11%)
• Isaac TeSlaa — (13) 35% — Three special teams snaps (16%)
• Jackson Meeks — (11) 30% — 11 special teams snaps (58%)
• Jakobie Keeney-James — (11) 30% — Two special teams snaps (11%)
• Malik Taylor — (6) 16%

The Lions have their top five at the position entranched, as TeSlaa is looking more and more like an instant contributor after a strong preseason. The decision to not give Meeks more action is interesting, as he seemed to have put himself in consideration for a roster spot.

His special teams rep count equaling his offensive action offers a hint that the team may have been evaluating his ability in that phase of the game. Bell and Kennedy also got an extended look on offense.

Tight ends

• Zach Horton — (25) 68% — Two special teams snaps (11%)
• Steven Stilianos — (11) 30%
• Shane Zylstra — (10) 27% — Six special teams snaps (32%)
• Gunnar Oakes — (2) 5%

Horton got the longest look among the competitors for the third tight end spot, but graded out poorly via Pro Football Focus and committed a costly penalty. Zylstra's experience may be the difference, though Horton's ability as a true fullback could help his case. Detroit also got an extended look at Stilianos, who joined the team two weeks ago.

Offensive line

• Giovanni Manu — (37) 100% — One special teams snap (5%)
• Dan Skipper — (20) 54% — One special teams snap (5%)
• Michael Niese — (20) 54% — One special teams snap (5%)
• Netane Muti — (20) 54%
• Kingsley Eguakun — (20) 54%
• Mason Miller — (17) 46% — One special teams snap (5%)
• Kayode Awosika — (17) 46% — One special teams snap (5%)
• Gunner Britton — (17) 46% — One special teams snap (5%)
• Zack Jackson — (17) 46%

The Lions made it a half-to-half split for all but one player, as 2024 fourth-round pick Giovanni Manu played the entire game. It's been an altogether up-and-down camp for the young lineman, and as a result he may once again wind up being a healthy inactive early in the season.

Detroit has some veteran depth to sort out when it comes to finalizing the roster, as there are a number of players who could be deserving of making the cut. Skipper still holds the edge as the swing tackle, with Awosika, Niese, Muti and Eguakun being among the interior options.