Detroit Lions Announce 2023 53-Man Roster

The Lions have reached the mandated 53-man roster limit after several roster cuts.
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The Detroit Lions had several challenging decisions to make during their roster cutdowns this year. 

For Lions head coach Dan Campbell and the front office, the construction of the roster also includes factoring in the chances a player could still remain with the organization on the practice squad, if they are waived. 

Detroit's roster is viewed in a much more favorable light. So, a player waived could be subject to being claimed by other NFL teams. 

Those who ended up on Detroit's practice squad in the past couple of years have still played during the regular season, due to the league's modified gameday elevation process. 

"It’s really to me, it’s -- and I understand it is, it’s a 53-man roster, but it’s really not," Campbell explained. "It’s a 60-man team. It’s a 69-man team is what it is, and that’s kind of how we view it. These guys are all on the same team. We all help each other out, and every one of those guys, there’s a good chance they’re going to play for us.”

Meet the 2023 Detroit Lions roster.

Quarterbacks (2)

Running backs (3)

Wide receivers (5)

Tight ends (3)

Offensive linemen (8)

  • Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Penei Sewell, Graham Glasgow, Matt Nelson, Colby Sorsdal

Defensive linemen (5)

  • Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Isaiah Buggs, Brodric Martin, Benito Jones

EDGE rushers (7)

Linebackers (6)

Cornerbacks (6)

  • Cameron Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, Emmanuel Moseley, Will Harris, Steven Gilmore, Khalil Dorsey

Safeties (5)

  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Tracy Walker, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Ifeatu Melifonwu 

Specialists (3)

Reserve lists

  • QB Hendon Hooker -- reserve/NFI
  • WR Jameson Williams -- reserve/suspended
  • QB Nate Sudfeld -- reserve/injured

Released

  • DL Christian Covington, OL Germain Ifedi, OL Bobby Hart, WR Jason Moore, RB Devine Ozigbo, TE Darrell Daniels, RB Benny Snell, RB Craig Reynolds

Waived

  • WR Trinity Benson, WR Avery Davis, OL Alex Mollette, OL Obinna Eze, TE Daniel Helm, OL Darrin Paulo, S Scott Nelson, CB Colby Richardson, WR Dylan Drummond, OL Connor Galvin, QB Adrian Martinez, OL Ryan Swoboda, OL Kayode Awosika, CB Chase Lucas, K Parker Romo, CB Starling Thomas V, WR Maurice Alexander, S Brandon Joseph, S Brady Breeze, RB Jermar Jefferson, DL Cory Durden, DL Chris Smith, OL Brad Cecil, OL Max Pircher, WR Chase Cota

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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!