Detroit, MI

Lions’ 53-Man Roster Projection: Isaiah Williams Presents Dilemma

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2024

Lions’ 53-Man Roster Projection: Isaiah Williams Presents Dilemma

The Detroit Lions have completed two preseason games, and the regular season is on the horizon.

In time, the Lions will have to trim their roster down to it’s final 53-man form. With the plethora in talent on the roster, coach Dan Campbell will face some tough decisions and talented players will be forced to be left off.

The Lions have plenty of options to fill out their practice squad with players who are left off, though those players may likely have options elsewhere across the league.

Here’s the latest prediction for the Lions’ final 53-man roster.

Quarterback (2)

In: Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker
Out: Nate Sudfeld

Hooker’s performance throughout the second half was more in line with what the Lions are hoping to see from their backup quarterback. While the Tennessee product still made his share of mistakes, he hit on 12-of-13 passes after opening 0-for-2.

His mobility brings an intriguing aspect as well, and he showed he has what it takes to pilot the offense efficiently. If it shakes out this way, Sudfeld would be a candidate to return on the practice squad and be a part of the quarterback room to mentor the young passer.

Running backs (4)

In: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Out: Zonovan Knight, Jermar Jefferson, Jake Funk

The running back position is a deep one for the Lions. Montgomery and Gibbs give them a solid 1-2 punch, and all the options on the roster are capable ones.

Vaki has had an exciting preseason to this point, and Reynolds is the veteran option that will be tough to beat out based on his understanding of the offense and ability to contribute in a pinch. Still, Knight, Jefferson and Funk all are capable options who could be assets on the practice squad.

Wide receivers (6)

In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Kaden Davis, Isaiah Williams
Out: Maurice Alexander, Jalon Calhoun, Daurice Fountain, Tom Kennedy
Injured: Tre’Quan Smith

Isaiah Williams has made a very compelling case to make the roster. He has dynamic playmaking ability and offers return versatility. However, where he runs into trouble when it comes to ending up on the final 53-man is that all of his roles are currently occupied by Raymond.

With Raymond being a safe bet to make the team, the Lions could elect to leave Williams off with hopes he makes it to the practice squad. However, there’s plenty of upside with him and it could be wise to stash him on the roster in case of injury.

Davis also helped his cause with a 61-yard touchdown Saturday. As of now, he’s out-performed Fountain in game action and could help to be a vertical threat.

It’s also worth wondering whether the Lions will peruse the market to find another receiver following final cuts.

Tight ends (4)

In: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra
Out: Sean McKeon, Parker Hesse

The Lions could still go a variety of ways at this position. After LaPorta and Wright, the other spots are up for grabs. I’m choosing to keep both Mitchell and Zylstra, as both can serve a purpose within all of the Lions’ different personnel packages.

McKeon and Hesse are both veteran options who are block-first players. As a result, each has a case to make the team in the fullback role. Still, Zylstra has done some of that in the past and has the athleticism to be a legitimate threat in the passing game.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler, Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Colby Sorsdal, Giovanni Manu, Dan Skipper, Kingsley Eguakun
Out: Christian Mahogany, Michael Niese, Kayode Awosika, Jake Burton, Duke Clemens, Bryan Hudson, Jamarco Jones
Injured reserve: Netane Muti

The lone change from the previous prediction is to keep Eguakun and cut Mahogany, Detroit’s sixth-round pick this year. Mahogany is back in the building, but his time away has created an uphill climb for him to make the roster with all the depth the team has up front.

Eguakun is an intriguing undrafted free agent who has played center for the bulk of the two preseason games. The Florida product has flashed intriguing potential and could have some interior flexibility that would make him an asset.

There are several players, such as Mahogany, Niese, Awosika and Jones, who could make pushes for roster spots in the final two weeks leading up to final cuts.

Defensive linemen (6)

In: Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Brodric Martin, Mekhi Wingo, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko
Out: Chris Smith
Injured: David Bada

The interior seems pretty set defensively, with Reader being the biggest question mark for health reasons. His status for Week 1 remains in doubt, and the Lions may be forced to roll with either Peko or Martin as the primary nose tackle should Reader not be ready.

McNeill appears primed for a big season, and Wingo has impressed the staff with his aptitude as a rookie. Nobody has had a bigger camp than Onwuzurike from a momentum perspective, and the prospect of what he can bring to the table is intriguing.

Defensive end (5)

In: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, James Houston, Mitchell Agude
Out: Mathieu Betts, Pat O’Connor, Isaac Ukwu
Injured: John Cominsky, Nate Lynn

Houston is sliding back to the edge full time, which gives him the potential to be a real threat in the pass-rush. Davenport and Paschal will likely handle most of the run defense, while Houston will likely begin the year as a rusher first with the ability to stop the run.

Agude has had a strong camp and that translated to a good showing in the second preseason game. Ukwu has also been solid and has had a sack in each of the first two preseason outings.

Linebacker (5)

In: Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Out: Malik Jefferson, Ben Niemann, Ty Summers, Abraham Beauplan

The Lions’ linebacker depth is in a good place, but injuries have necessitated bringing on veterans such as Jefferson and Summers. These veterans have legitimate experience, which would make them helpful particularly on special teams.

Because of this, it would be less than surprising for Detroit to go heavier at this position. Niemann has been solid through the first two weeks of preseason, and Beauplan had two tackles for loss in his Lions’ debut. Linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard has plenty of options.

Cornerback (5)

In: Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Khalil Dorsey
Out: Kindle Vildor, Steven Gilmore, Essang Bassey, Javelin Guidry
Injured: Emmanuel Moseley

With the first four spots likely locked in, there could only be one spot available for the competitors at this position. Right now, the advantage leans with Dorsey due to his upside and special teams ability. Both Dorsey and Vildor have had strong weeks that translated to their opportunity against the Chiefs.

Gilmore still has upside as well, but he played a smaller role against the Chiefs and struggled in coverage, allowing an eventual touchdown when he tried to undercut a route that he was behind. Bassey and Guidry are depth additions who just joined the organization this week.

Safety (4)

In: Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph
Out: C.J. Moore, Loren Strickland

One of the tougher decisions when it comes to final cuts could come at this position. Moore is a veteran whom the staff is familiar with and has contributed on special teams plenty during his career, while Joseph has had a solid camp and is proving to be a turnover artist.

Joseph had an interception in the preseason opener and forced a fumble in Week 2. The Notre Dame product has excellent instincts and plenty of scheme familiarity in his second year with the organization.

Strickland also isn’t going away quietly, as he’s stood out with his physicality and toughness.

Specialists (3)

In: Jake Bates (K), Jack Fox (P), Scott Daly (LS)
Out: Hogan Hatten

Hatten’s athleticism gives him an intriguing case to make the roster, and the long-snapper competition is likely far from over. He snapped on Saturday, and also got snaps at linebacker in the preseason opener.

The Idaho product will have a case, but the Lions had Daly snapping with the game on the line in Saturday’s game, so he gets the edge for now.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit People Mover resumes service after nearly 2 months of repairs

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Detroit People Mover resumes service after nearly 2 months of repairs

The Detroit People Mover is back up and running after being closed for the past two months for repairs following storm damage.

According to the Detroit Transportation Corporation, the People Mover reopened to the public at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

High winds on March 13 forced the People Mover to undergo a series of repairs, including undercarriage sheet metal removal, track cable communications and switch mechanisms.

Over the last 16 days, People Mover cars have been out for tests ahead of the reopening.

“Rider safety is always at the heart of what we do, and it is our responsibility as a public transit provider,” DTE CEO Melia Howard said in a statement. “The time was a necessary requirement to restore key, operational components and is an investment in the continued reliability of the system. We take pride in the role that the People Mover plays for residents, workers and visitors, and we look forward to being the go-to public transportation for both daily rides and special events which bring everyone together.”

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Detroit, MI

Tigers’ Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear after hit-by-pitch

Published

15 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

Tigers’ Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear after hit-by-pitch

Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was ejected from his start Tuesday, May 5, against the Boston Red Sox before recording an out in the fourth inning.

The 32-year-old was ejected by third-base umpire and crew chief Dan Iassogna for hitting Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a first-pitch 94.4 mph four-seam fastball – immediately after giving up back-to-back home runs.

The hit-by-pitch appeared to be intentional, especially because the pitch registered as the only four-seam fastball that Valdez has thrown in the 2026 season.

The Red Sox scored 10 runs off Valdez, including two in the fourth inning on home runs from Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu, both with bat flips. That’s when Valdez hit Story, who absorbed the pitch with his back.

Players and coaches from both teams’ benches and bullpens poured onto the field at Comerica Park.

Valdez stood near the mound during the skirmish, all while his teammates and coaches exchanged words with players and coaches from the Red Sox.

There was no brawl.

Before benches and bullpens cleared, Story stared down Valdez from near home plate, and Valdez took several steps in front of the pitching mound.

The two never came close to a fight.

Afterward, the umpires gathered, discussed what had happened and ejected Valdez. He didn’t protest the ejection, simply walking off the mound and into the clubhouse.

Both teams were warned not to retaliate.

Valdez – a two-time All-Star in his nine-year MLB career – allowed 10 runs (seven earned runs) on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts across three-plus innings, throwing 45 of 60 pitches for strikes.

He generated six misses on 34 swings for a below-average 17.6% whiff rate, while the Red Sox averaged an above-average 93.3 mph exit velocity on 16 balls in play.

Valdez has a 4.57 ERA in eight starts.

The Tigers – led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris – signed Valdez in early February to a lucrative contract that will be worth three years, $115 million if he exercises his player option for the third season.

The deal set the MLB record for the highest average annual value guaranteed to a left-handed pitcher, at $38.3 million.

So far, the results have been disappointing.

The hit-by-pitch in Tuesday’s meltdown didn’t help.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

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Detroit, MI

A New Day for Detroit’s Dakota Inn – Hour Detroit Magazine

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

A New Day for Detroit’s Dakota Inn – Hour Detroit Magazine

Photo Courtesy of the Dakota Inn

For generations of Detroiters, the Dakota Inn Rathskeller has been more than a bar—it’s been a ritual. A place where communal tables, steins raised high, and the familiar sound of German folk songs have created a sense of belonging that transcends time. Now, as the city continues its cultural resurgence, the Dakota Inn is entering a bold new chapter—one that honors its storied past while opening the doors to an entirely new kind of experience.

This summer, the transformation is unmistakable.

At the heart of the revival is a sprawling outdoor Biergarten—an ambitious expansion that reimagines the Dakota Inn as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination venue. Designed to evoke the charm of traditional European beer gardens while embracing Detroit’s gritty, creative energy, the space invites guests to linger. Long wooden tables stretch beneath open skies, string lights glow into the evening, and the hum of conversation blends with live music and clinking glasses. It’s communal, celebratory, and distinctly Detroit.

But the evolution doesn’t stop with beer.

The Dakota Inn is broadening its cultural reach with a thoughtfully curated lineup of events that extend far beyond its traditional roots. Jazz & Film Nights promise to turn warm evenings into immersive experiences, pairing live performances with classic and contemporary cinema. The concept feels both nostalgic and fresh—an echo of Detroit’s rich musical heritage layered with a modern, cinematic sensibility.

Wine tastings, too, are joining the calendar, signaling a more expansive approach to hospitality. These events aim to attract a wider audience while maintaining the venue’s approachable, convivial spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply curious, the goal is the same: bring people together around shared experiences.

And then there’s soccer.

With World Cup excitement on the horizon, the Dakota Inn is positioning itself as one of the city’s premier gathering spots for international watch parties. The Biergarten will come alive with fans from all backgrounds, united by the universal language of the game. Large screens, cold drinks, and a festival-like atmosphere will transform match days into something closer to a civic celebration than a simple viewing.

What makes this moment particularly compelling is the balance being struck. The Dakota Inn isn’t abandoning its identity—it’s expanding it. The familiar sing-alongs, the old-world décor, the sense of history etched into the walls—all of that remains. But now, it exists alongside new programming that reflects the diversity and dynamism of Detroit itself.

This is not a reinvention for reinvention’s sake. It’s a thoughtful evolution, rooted in the belief that historic spaces can—and should—adapt to the communities they serve.

On any given summer night, you might find a table of old friends singing a German drinking song, a couple discovering the space for the first time over a glass of wine, or a crowd gathered around a screen, erupting in cheers as a goal is scored thousands of miles away. Different scenes, different energies—but all part of the same story.

A new day has arrived at the Dakota Inn Rathskeller, and if this summer is any indication, its next chapter may be its most vibrant yet.