The final few spots on the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster probably won’t be decided by who catches the most passes or records the most tackles during the preseason.
They may be decided by Dave Fipp.
Detroit’s special teams coordinator offered several revealing comments this week about how the Lions evaluate players near the bottom of the roster. With cutdown day approaching, Fipp’s observations provide clues about the competitions at linebacker, running back and wide receiver, while also showing why some apparent roster bubble players may have more security than their offensive or defensive roles suggest.
Special teams isn’t simply a tiebreaker for Detroit. For certain players, it’s the reason they’re on the roster at all.
Fipp Explains Detroit’s Two-Phase Requirement
Fipp’s most important comment wasn’t about one particular player. It was about how NFL roster construction has changed.
“You’re going to make the team probably in two phases,” Fipp said as quoted by Pride of Detroit.
That means a receiver fighting for the fifth or sixth spot can’t simply run routes. A backup linebacker can’t survive solely as an emergency defender. Detroit wants players who can contribute on offense or defense while also handling meaningful special-teams assignments.
There are exceptions for elite specialists, and Sione Vaki may be the best example.
Detroit’s own review of the 2025 season credited Vaki with 10 special-teams tackles and described him as one of the unit’s standout performers. The Lions also noted that linebacker Grant Stuard led the team with 14.
Vaki’s role has already been one of the more interesting roster questions of the summer. He entered camp positioned behind Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco, and his special-teams value has remained a major part of his case.
His broken nose briefly interrupted camp, but the injury was not expected to create a lengthy absence.
Fipp’s comments suggest Vaki’s roster standing should remain strong. He isn’t just another third running back. He can justify his Sunday uniform through the kicking game even when his offensive touches are limited.
Detroit Could Keep More Linebackers Than Expected
The linebacker competition may be where Fipp’s comments carry the greatest roster implications.
Detroit already has established options such as Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez and Devin White. Behind them is a crowded group that includes Trevor Nowaske, Joe Bachie, Troy Reeder, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Damone Clark, rookie Jimmy Rolder and undrafted rookie Erick Hunter.
Fipp specifically identified Hunter, Bachie, Reeder and Ogbongbemiga while discussing how competitive the group has been on special teams.
That matters because Detroit may reduce Jack Campbell’s special-teams workload as his defensive importance grows. Someone has to absorb those snaps.
Linebackers are naturally valuable in the kicking game because they combine size, tackling ability and experience operating in space. Fipp essentially reinforced that point when discussing why the position translates better to special teams than some defensive linemen.
The roster consequence could be significant: six linebackers may not be enough.
Detroit could reasonably carry seven if the final player provides more game-day value on special teams than a ninth offensive lineman, sixth receiver or extra defensive back.
Rolder complicates things further. Dan Campbell said Thursday that the rookie is progressing from his leg injury but is unlikely to practice again before training camp ends. If Detroit believes Rolder can avoid injured reserve, it could create another squeeze at a position already overflowing with candidates.
Erick Hunter Is the High-Upside Gamble
Hunter may be the most fascinating player in the group.
The undrafted rookie has consistently flashed on special teams, enough that Fipp has noticed his impact. The problem is reliability.
Fipp also acknowledged that Hunter has made significant mental mistakes. That’s dangerous on punt coverage, where one missed assignment can produce far more damage than a routine error on an early defensive down.
This is where roster construction becomes more complicated than simply keeping the player with the highest ceiling.
Bachie, Reeder and Ogbongbemiga have NFL experience. Hunter offers youth and upside, but Detroit must decide whether it trusts him enough to execute assignments immediately.
A practice-squad spot would make sense developmentally. The risk, of course, is exposing an intriguing young player to waivers.
That’s a classic late-August Brad Holmes decision: keep the safer veteran or gamble that the talented rookie can clear waivers.
Greg Dortch and Tom Kennedy Have Separated as Punt Returners
Fipp also provided one of the clearest updates yet on Detroit’s return competition.
“Really probably Kennedy and Dortch right now in my opinion,” Fipp said.
That is noteworthy for Greg Dortch and Tom Kennedy, but perhaps even more meaningful for Dominic Lovett.
Detroit lost Kalif Raymond during the offseason, creating an opening at punt returner. Dortch entered the competition with obvious experience, and Fipp had already discussed his potential during OTAs. The team identified Dortch as an early candidate, while Detroit’s return-game changes were a major reason his addition looked particularly interesting.
Kennedy remaining firmly in the competition shouldn’t be dismissed.
He has spent years bouncing between Detroit’s active roster and practice squad, largely because coaches trust him. If Kennedy can handle punt returns while providing reliable emergency snaps at receiver, he becomes exactly the type of two-phase player Fipp described.
Lovett now has a tougher route. If he isn’t one of Detroit’s preferred punt returners, he needs to establish enough value elsewhere on special teams to justify keeping him in a deep receiver room.
Kick Returner Could Favor Detroit’s Bigger Backs
The kickoff competition appears to have a different profile.
Fipp indicated that he prefers a bigger, stronger returner because kick returns create more direct contact than punts. That could favor Isiah Pacheco or Jabari Small, while potentially working against the smaller Jacob Saylors.
Yet Saylors shouldn’t be written off.
He handled extensive return work last season and earned praise from Fipp for his special-teams performance. Proven production often carries considerable weight when coaches begin making decisions about players who will dress on Sundays.
That’s the broader lesson from Fipp’s comments.
Fans naturally build roster projections by counting quarterbacks, receivers, linebackers and defensive backs. The Lions aren’t constructing the roster that way in isolation. The final four or five players need to fit together across offense, defense and special teams.
A sixth receiver who offers nothing in the kicking game could lose to a seventh linebacker who covers punts. A fourth running back with return ability may be more useful than a better pure runner. A veteran with fewer splash plays may survive because the coaching staff trusts him not to make a catastrophic mistake.
Detroit’s preseason game against Washington will provide another round of evidence.
For players such as Hunter, Kennedy, Dortch, Lovett, Bachie, Reeder, Ogbongbemiga and Saylors, the most important snaps Saturday may come when neither Detroit’s offense nor defense is on the field.
