At the start of Sunday’s game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, the two teams will be showcasing their top-tier talent. It will be an opportunity for coaches to see where their teams stand after a week of actual game-planning. For the players, it will be a chance to shake off some rust and feel ready for the opener, which is just two weeks away.
But for the reserves, the stakes are much higher. They’re not just trying to stay sharp, they’re fighting for their football careers in Detroit. There are plenty of jobs still to be won on this Lions roster, and only a small amount of opportunities that will be available in the team’s preseason finale.