The Detroit Lions are nearing the end of a rare four-game preseason, and the time for tough decisions is almost here. With the regular season just around the corner, the team will soon trim its 90-man roster down to the final 53 players who will take the field in Week 1.
The Cutdown Deadline
NFL rules require all teams to finalize their rosters by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 26. That’s the hard deadline, and it means nearly half of the Lions’ current roster will be looking for new opportunities by the end of the month.
The league used to operate with multiple cutdown points throughout camp, but that process has been streamlined. Now, teams get one extended evaluation period before making all of their moves at once. It’s a system designed to give players a little more time to prove themselves, and for coaches, a little more data before making the hard calls.
When Will Detroit Make the Call?
While the Lions, like every team, must abide by the August 26 deadline, they don’t have to wait until then. Detroit wraps up its preseason schedule against the Houston Texans on Saturday, and it’s not unusual for teams to begin trimming rosters right after their final exhibition game.
That said, some coaches prefer to take every last hour available, so there’s a chance Lions fans may not see the official list of final cuts until deadline day. Either way, the countdown has begun.
Practice Squad Timing
For players who don’t make the 53-man roster, the opportunity to stay in Detroit may not be over. Beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 27, teams can officially start signing players to their 16-man practice squads. This allows organizations to keep developing talent and maintain depth in case of injury during the season.
The Bottom Line
The Lions have one more preseason game to finalize evaluations, and then the real decisions start. By August 26 at 4 p.m. ET, Detroit’s roster will be locked at 53 players. But for many of the current hopefuls, the clock is already ticking.
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