In a season brimming with standout moments and strategic decisions, the Detroit Lions continue to make headlines, both with on-field performances and savvy roster management. The Lions (7-1) recently announced two significant roster moves, waiving linebacker Abraham Beauplan and defensive lineman Chris Smith from their 53-man lineup. While these decisions may seem puzzling to some, they create space for potential roster upgrades, positioning the team well ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Houston Texans. One of these vacant slots is expected to go to wide receiver Jameson Williams, who has served a two-game suspension for violating the league’s Performance Enhancing Substances policy and is set to return as a dynamic downfield option. What remains uncertain, however, is how the Lions will utilize their second open spot—a question fans are eagerly watching ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Lions have several strategic possibilities to consider for this second opening. One potential option is activating defensive tackle Brodric Martin from injured reserve. Although Martin’s 21-day evaluation period began last week, head coach Dan Campbell expressed uncertainty over Martin’s immediate readiness, saying, “It’s just a matter of, man, do we feel like after this three weeks he can help us? Do we feel like he can really help us?” Another candidate for activation is tight end Shane Zylstra. Since the team has already utilized all three practice squad elevations for Zylstra, he would require a roster spot to continue contributing on game day. As for Beauplan and Smith, both players are now subject to waivers, but they could potentially return to the Lions’ practice squad if unclaimed by another team.
In their recent 24-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers, safety Kerby Joseph emerged as the Lions’ highest-graded player on defense, boasting an impressive Pro Football Focus (PFF) score of 87.7. His performance included a pivotal pick-six just before halftime, showcasing Detroit’s defensive prowess. Joseph’s leadership and ability to capitalize on opponent errors were instrumental, especially in a muddy and challenging game environment. “Defense, our job is to limit points,” Joseph said post-game. “Takeaways is just important to the defense… we’re just gonna continue to get better, watch this film, learn from it.”
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill also had a strong outing, generating seven pressures on Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love, despite the Lions not recording a sack. Offensively, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown led the charge with a PFF grade of 82.7, setting the tone for a well-balanced attack that controlled the tempo.
As the Lions prepare to face the Houston Texans in Week 10, Detroit enters as a 3.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. This game marks the Lions’ fourth road contest in their last five matchups, though they have excelled on the road so far this season, boasting a perfect record away from home. The Texans (6-3), despite being well-rested following a Thursday night game, have encountered a rough patch recently. Injuries to key players, including wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs, have affected Houston’s rhythm and may weaken their offensive capabilities against Detroit’s tenacious defense. However, star quarterback C.J. Stroud has proven to be a formidable presence for the Texans, keeping their offense competitive.
Houston’s defense, ranked among the top in both pressures and sacks, has also been affected by injuries, most notably with the recent absence of standout linebacker Will Anderson Jr. The Texans’ defense will aim to disrupt Detroit’s offense, but the Lions have proven adaptable to various game conditions, including the rain-soaked victory against Green Bay. Detroit’s offense is poised to capitalize on the controlled environment of NRG Stadium, which should enable the Lions to re-establish their downfield threat with the return of Jameson Williams.
With a potential seventh consecutive victory on the line, the Lions are eyeing historic territory. Achieving another win would match the franchise’s longest single-season win streak in the Super Bowl era, tying the seven-game stretch set in 1995. Beyond this milestone, Detroit is seeking to secure its position atop the NFC North, where they currently lead the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.