List of Lions Players Who Should Not Play against Panthers

30 top Detroit Lions players should sit against Panthers.

The Detroit Lions should simply sit their top 30 players against the Carolina Panthers. 

It has become quite clear the main objective of preseason games is to walk away unscathed. 

With nothing to gain for many expected starters, it would behoove Detroit's coaching staff to avoid any risks and to simply sit the team's best players. 

Having two weeks of joint practices afforded the roster the opportunity to test their skills against opponents who were up for the task. 

The Giants and Jaguars presented the Lions different challenges, giving the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate the progression or regression of players on the lower end of the depth chart. 

Head coach Dan Campbell was asked this week which specific position group he wanted to see step up this week.

Additional Reading: Potential Lions Surprise Roster Cuts, Under-the-Radar Players

"I mean to me, they all need to show up," said Campbell. "I think a lot of guys need to show up for us and there’s a lot of guys that we’ll be looking for that we consider depth players, spot starters, guys fighting for jobs, practice squad spots. So, I think you’re looking for it all. We need everybody to step up.”

Here is a list of Detroit's top players who should not be suit up against Carolina, as any injury to a key player could prevent the team from meeting their elevated goals. 

Offense

• Marvin Jones
• David Montgomery
• Jahmyr Gibbs
• Josh Reynolds
• Kalif Raymond
• Amon-Ra St. Brown
• Jared Goff
• Penei Sewell
• Graham Glasgow
• Taylor Decker
• Halapoulivaati Vaitai
• Jonah Jackson
• Frank Ragnow
• Sam LaPorta
• Teddy Bridgewater

Defense

• Cam Sutton
• C.J. Gardner-Johnson
• Kerby Joseph
• Jack Campbell
• Brian Branch
• Alex Anzalone
• Jerry Jacobs
• Charles Harris
• Alim McNeill
• Aidan Hutchinson
• John Cominsky
• Derrick Barnes
• Malcolm Rodriguez
• Tracy Walker

Special teams 

• Riley Patterson