The Detroit Lions’ competition for the final wide receiver spot may have a new leader.
Tay Martin did not dominate the box score in Saturday’s 17-13 preseason win over the Washington Commanders, but Detroit’s usage of the veteran receiver told a more important story. Martin started, remained heavily involved offensively and continued to receive work on special teams.
With Cedrick Wilson Jr. now dealing with a potentially significant knee injury, Martin’s path to the 53-man roster suddenly looks much clearer.
Tay Martin’s Usage Stands Out
Martin played 31 offensive snaps against Washington, the most among Detroit’s wide receivers, along with six special teams snaps. The Lions’ postgame snap-count breakdown also showed that he opened the game with the offense.
The performance itself was uneven. Martin had a third-down drop and was involved in a special teams penalty.
His workload is more revealing.
Against Cincinnati in Detroit’s preseason opener, Martin played 30 offensive snaps and seven on special teams. Dominic Lovett was right alongside him in that game with 32 offensive snaps and seven special teams plays.
One week later, their usage went in completely different directions.
Martin remained heavily involved. Lovett dropped to 14 offensive snaps against Washington and did not receive a single special teams rep.
For players competing near the bottom of the roster, special teams work is rarely a minor detail. Detroit does not need its fifth receiver simply to wait for targets behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa and Greg Dortch. That player needs to provide value when the offense is not on the field.
Right now, Detroit appears to be giving Martin that opportunity.
It is quite a change from June, when the Lions signed Martin after his productive spring season and added him to what was already a crowded receiver competition. His NFL résumé was modest, and there was no obvious roster spot waiting for him.
Even our pre-training camp 53-man roster projection had Martin on the outside looking in.
Six weeks later, that call deserves another look.
Cedrick Wilson Injury Changes the Equation
The biggest variable is Wilson.
The veteran left Saturday’s game after five offensive snaps because of a knee injury. Detroit had not announced a final diagnosis as of Sunday evening, but Dan Campbell acknowledged after the game that he was concerned while the team continued evaluating the injury.
Wilson entered camp with a legitimate argument for one of Detroit’s final receiver spots because of his experience, positional versatility and special teams ability. The Lions added Wilson during the offseason specifically to strengthen that depth competition.
If Wilson’s injury costs him significant time, somebody has to move up.
Martin currently has the strongest evidence.
Tom Kennedy remains in the conversation and received six special teams snaps Saturday, but only seven offensive plays. Tarik Black and Lucky Jackson were each heavily involved offensively, yet Martin was the receiver Detroit used most. Lovett’s shrinking role is another indication that the competition has shifted.
None of this means Martin has secured a roster spot. One preseason game remains, Wilson’s medical outlook is still unresolved, and Detroit’s coaches will weigh weeks of practice work alongside preseason performance.
The trend is difficult to miss, though.
Martin began camp as one of several receivers fighting for attention. After two preseason games, he is consistently getting offensive work, contributing on special teams and watching one of his primary competitors lose ground.
For a player trying to become Detroit’s fifth receiver, that is about as favorable a position as he could have asked for entering the final week of the preseason.
