4 breakout players to watch for in Hall of Fame game vs. Chargers

While the Detroit Lions won't be starting any of their regular season starters or their top two rookies in Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, there are still a few Lions players to keep tabs on with so many injuries lingering for the team ahead of "real" preseason action.

Tyleik Williams and Tate Ratledge, the Lions' first and second round picks from this year's draft, will be sitting this one one alongside all of Detroit's starting unit. So, that means fans will be getting a look at the depths of the team's roster and rookies taken later in the draft, like wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa and pass rusher Ahmed Hassanein.

Those two, plus two other players fighting for a spot on the 53 man roster, are worth keeping a close eye on in this bout.

4 Lions to watch in Hall of Fame game vs. Chargers

Ahmed Hassanein

Hassanein has been saying all the right things during training camp this offseason. The sixth round pick out of Boise State who only relatively recently began playing football is seen as a developmental player who could become a big part of the Lions' pass rush over the next few seasons. He has already begun taking snaps with the second team unit during camp, showing how quickly he's managed to pick up on tools necessary to become a powerful pass rusher in this league.

He'll be playing on Thursday night, so look for someone in a jersey numbered 61 who may be flying towards Trey Lance in the pocket.

Isaac TeSlaa

TeSlaa has been one of the bigger mysteries headed into training camp since being taken in the 3rd round by the Lions. The former Arkansas Razorback didn't get many touches in college, but clearly has the tools necessary to be a brute receiver in sticky coverage. He's tall, athletic, and has solid hands.

TeSlaa will be playing in Thursday's game, and it'll probably be where he gets some major burn with none of Detroit's major wide receiving corp suiting up. Hendon Hooker is probably thrilled to be targeting the 6'4" playmaker in this contest.

Kyle Allen

Speaking of Hooker, his competition for the role of QB2 behind Jared Goff is likely to split some reps with him against the Chargers. Kyle Allen, who previously played for the Carolina Panthers, has 19 NFL starts under his belt. His plan, courtesy Lions team reporter Tim Twentyman, is simple:

"Just playing a good clean game," Allen said of what he wants to show coaches Thursday night. "Execute and move the football. Nothing crazy. The same thing I'm doing every day out here at practice. Show up, execute the plays that are called and do my job. That's it."

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Allen and Hooker are probably the most contentious players in training camp this year, since QB2 is the only open role on the Lions' roster that isn't already unofficially spoken for - the other competition, for center, seems to have been won by Graham Glasgow.

Jacob Saylors

The Lions were busy signing away UFL players this past week, securing former St. Louis Battlehawks cornerback Nick Whiteside as well as running back Jacob Saylors. Saylors is the UFL star that should be catching Lions fans' eyes, though. He was one of the best running backs in the league, going for 960 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons with St. Louis. He also averaged 55.4 average rushing yards per game with the Battlehawks this past season.

Saylors will probably get some burn on Thursday night with Sione Vaki, Jabari Small, and Kye Robichaux in the mix, as well. Saylors' numbers from the UFL are just so eye popping that you can't help but wonder how he'll fare in this game, despite the low stakes.

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