The Lions are reshuffling their roster after two injuries, adding a defensive back and running back. With one preseason game left, could one of these newcomers earn a spot on the 53-man roster?
The Detroit Lions are coming off their first victory of the preseason, defeating the Washington Commanders 17-13. Unfortunately, the win came with injuries to Cedrick Wilson and Raheem Blackshear, prompting Detroit to place both players on the Reserve/Injured list.
Those injuries led the Lions to make two roster moves, signing defensive back Jason Taylor and running back Roydell Williams.
Taylor was originally drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Rams but spent time on injured reserve with a groin injury, and was later released from the practice squad in September 2024. He would go on to play for the Orlando Storm in the United Football League in 2025. During his redshirt senior season at Oklahoma State, Taylor recorded 99 tackles and six interceptions.
Williams spent four seasons at Alabama before transferring to Florida State for his final two years of college football. Over six seasons, Williams appeared in 56 games, recording 275 rushing attempts for 1,264 yards and 13 total touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. He also added 28 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns.
Overall, both players are likely being brought in as depth pieces. Williams joins Detroit as an undrafted free agent, while Taylor was playing in the UFL before signing with the Lions.
Detroit’s running back room has been a carousel of free-agent additions over the past few weeks. Last week, the Lions waived running back Kyle Robichaux and signed former Cincinnati Bengals running back Treyveon Williams, who went on to score a touchdown and was named the Lions’ player of the game against the Commanders on Saturday.
With Jahmyr Gibbs unlikely to see preseason action, the Lions have been relying heavily on their depth at running back. Isaiah Pacheco is still dealing with an MCL sprain and has yet to play this preseason. Sione Vaki suffered an eye injury and has since returned to practice, but he has not played in either of Detroit’s first two preseason games.
Against the Commanders, Detroit gave carries to Jacob Saylors, Blackshear, Treyveon Williams and Jabari Small.
There is an opportunity for one of these running backs to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. Detroit kept four running backs last season, with Gibbs and Pacheco seemingly locking up two spots and Vaki likely in the mix for a third.
That leaves one potential roster spot up for grabs, and Roydell Williams will now have an opportunity to make his case.
The Lions have one final preseason game this Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Indianapolis Colts on the road. With roster cuts approaching, Williams and the rest of Detroit’s running back depth will have one final opportunity to make an impression.
