Lions' 2022 Preseason Week 3 Preview: Defense

There are several members of the Lions defense who are battling for a roster spot, ahead of the team's preseason Week 3 game against the Steelers.
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The Detroit Lions' still have several roster battles of note to focus on ahead of the team's preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers

Behind Alim McNeill and Michael Brockers, Detroit's expected starters, reserves Jason Cornell, Demetrius Taylor and Isaiah Buggs need to showcase to the coaching staff why they should be part of the 53-man roster. 

The preseason finale is also very vital for defensive linemen John Cominsky and James Houston, who are both battling down to the wire to earn a spot on Aaron Glenn's defense. 

Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jeff Okudah, who has played solidly in his return from a torn Achilles, is still battling with cornerback Will Harris to earn the starting nod opposite of Amani Oruwariye

Well, I would say this, the players that we’re counting that’s been here that we know -- like Charles (Harris), like (Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch, guys that are starters, man those guys are going to go out there and do what they do," said Glenn this week. You always need quality backup, you always need quality role players because man, this is a game of injuries. It’s the biggest equalizer in our game. 

"If you don’t have those backups that’s getting those reps in that same position, man, you can find yourself behind the eight-ball," Glenn continued. "So, we want to make sure that everybody’s getting those quality reps. .... And then, in the game we need those backup guys to get ready to play because we don’t know what’s going to happen as the season progress. So, I think coach (Dan Campbell) does a really good job of making sure that there’s a good rotation between our starters and our backups, and things like that.”

Here is a look at an updated defensive depth chart, heading into Week 3 of the preseason. 

Defensive line

EDGE rushers

Interior defensive line

Off-ball linebackers

Cornerbacks

  • Amani Oruwariye
  • Jeff Okudah
  • Will Harris
  • Bobby Price
  • Mark Gilbert
  • Saivion Smith
  • Cedric Boswell
  • Jerry Jacobs -- active/PUP list

Nickel cornerbacks

  • AJ Parker
  • Mike Hughes
  • Chase Lucas

Safeties

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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!