Lions' 2025 Week 9 Depth Chart

Offensive linemen

Starters: Taylor Decker (LT, Questionable, shoulder), Christian Mahogany (LG), Graham Glasgow (C), Tate Ratledge (RG), Penei Sewell (RT)
Backups: Dan Skipper (OT), Kayode Awosika (OG/OT), Trystan Colon (C/G)
Injured: OT Giovanni Manu (Injured reserve), OG Miles Frazier (PUP), OT Jamarco Jones (Injured reserve), OG/OT Colby Sorsdal (Injured reserve), OT Justin Herron (Injured reserve).

The Lions didn't add any help to the offensive line through practice squad elevations or signings, so it's expected that Taylor Decker will once again suit up. He returned against Tampa Bay after a two-game absence and boosts Detroit's line, and the group as a whole has been steadily improving even with two young starters.

Defensive linemen

Starters: DJ Reader (NT), Alim McNeill (3T)
Backups: Roy Lopez, Tyleik Williams
Reserves: Tyler Lacy, Quinton Jefferson, Mekhi Wingo
Injured: Levi Onwuzurike (PUP)

McNeill is full go, as evidenced by the snap count he had in his return from the PUP list in Week 7. With him back in the fold, Detroit can put more pressure on quarterbacks from the interior. The group played with a renewed energy with McNeill back, and the rotation of Reader and Lopez remains solid.

EDGE

Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Al-Quadin Muhammad
Backup: Tyrus Wheat
Injured: Josh Paschal (NFI), Marcus Davenport (Injured reserve)

Paschal and Davenport won't return in Week 9, which means it will be another game in which the Lions are thin on true EDGE rushers. However, the group continues to make it work with Hutchinson leading the charge.

Linebackers

Starters: Jack Campbell (MIKE), Alex Anzalone (WILL), Derrick Barnes (SAM)
Backups: Trevor Nowaske (SAM), Grant Stuard (WILL), Ty Summers (WILL/MIKE, practice squad elevation)
Injured: Zach Cunningham (Injured reserve), Malcolm Rodriguez (PUP), Ezekiel Turner (Injured reserve)

Cunningham was placed on injured reserve, which will likely lead to more action for Nowaske as the fourth linebacker. Summers, who spent some time on the active roster earlier in the year, is up and will provide the team with depth both defensively and on special teams.

Cornerbacks

Starters: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson
Backup: Nick Whiteside, Arthur Maulet
Injured: D.J. Reed (Injured reserve), Khalil Dorsey (Injured reserve), Ennis Rakestraw (injured reserve)

Arnold doesn't have an injury designation, and as a result is expected to re-enter the starting lineup for the first time since Week 5. Robertson, Whiteside and Maulet also had strong games against Tampa Bay and Detroit should feel confident in any of these options.

Safeties

Starters: Brian Branch, Thomas Harper
Backups: Avonte Maddox (Questionable, hamstring), Erick Hallett, Jammie Robinson
Injured: Kerby Joseph (Out with knee injury), Avonte Maddox (Out with hamstring injury), Dan Jackson (injured reserve), Daniel Thomas (Injured reserve)
Practice squad: Loren Strickland

Joseph remains sidelined with his knee injury, but Branch is back after serving a suspension in Week 7. He'll bring plenty of juice to the group, but Harper and Hallett stepped up in a big way against the Buccaneers. Perhaps Robinson will debut this week, as he was inavtive in Week 7.

Specialists

Kicker: Jake Bates
Punter: Jack Fox
Holder: Jack Fox
Long-snapper: Hogan Hatten
Kick returners: Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors
Punt returner: Kalif Raymond

With Reynolds sidelined, Vaki should step into the kick return role if he is active. If not, the Lions could look to fill that void with a player like wide receiver Dominic Lovett.