The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their first real football action in six months. On Thursday, they’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL Hall of Fame Game. The Lions currently have 90 players aiming to earn one of 53 active roster spots or land on the practice squad.
With every training session and preseason snap being vital, the Lions are continuing to tweak the roster. Per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, Detroit has waived tight end Luke Deal and added running back Jacob Saylors on Tuesday.
Saylors is the second player from the UFL Detroit has picked up this week, following the signing of cornerback Nick Whiteside on Monday. Head coach Dan Campbell voiced support for using the UFL as a developmental league, stating, “I think it would be great.”
Deal had joined the Lions after participating in rookie minicamp tryouts, but he suffered an early training camp injury that ultimately cost him a spot on the roster. With him out, the team turned to Saylors for reinforcements.
This marks another NFL opportunity for Saylors, who previously had brief stints with the Browns, Giants, and Falcons, though he never played in a regular-season game. Over the past two years, he played for the St. Louis Battlehawks and was named to the All-UFL team in both 2024 and 2025.
In 2024, he topped the UFL in rushing with 461 yards and tied for second in touchdowns (5). He also led all non-quarterbacks and kickers in scoring with 54 points. He followed that up in 2025 with 499 rushing yards and five more scores.
Detroit recently saw rookie back Kyle Robichaux exit Monday’s practice with an apparent shoulder issue, and Saylors could now get a shot to fill in.
The top of the depth chart is set with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who likely won’t play much in preseason games. Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki, Jabari Small, and Robichaux round out the backfield, but Saylors’ arrival adds another competitive element.
Saylors is behind the curve, having joined in the second week of training camp, but all it takes is a chance. The next few weeks should provide a clearer picture of Detroit’s RB room, as Saylors hopes to carry over his UFL dominance to the NFL level.
