The Detroit Lions finalized their roster and leadership structure one week before the regular season opener, elevating linebacker Joe Bachie to the active roster while naming seven captains who will wear the “C” patch on Sunday. The Detroit Lions filled one of two roster vacancies on Monday, signing veteran linebacker Joe Bachie off the team’s practice squad. The moves address immediate depth needs at linebacker and running back after injuries to Isiah Pacheco and Cade Mays forced a reshuffling of the 53-man list.
Bachie Returns and Practice Squad Reshuffled
Veteran linebacker Joe Bachie moves from the practice squad to the active roster, filling a spot created by the team’s recent injury adjustments. The Detroit Lions filled one of two roster vacancies on Monday, signing veteran linebacker Joe Bachie off the team’s practice squad. Bachie, a former Michigan State standout, spent the preseason logging 67 defensive snaps and adding two special teams stops. He previously overlapped with head coach Dan Campbell in New Orleans and is viewed as a dependable option who can play multiple linebacker spots.
To accommodate Bachie and manage the practice squad limits, the team re-added center Seth McLaughlin and running back Jabari Small to the unit after releasing them earlier in the week. The team also placed G Mason Miller on the practice squad injured list and added C Seth McLaughlin and RB Jabari Small to the unit. Both players had cleared their initial roster spots to make room for them, but their return to the practice squad was necessary to maintain depth at those positions. The team placed offensive lineman Mason Miller on injured reserve to clear a spot on the practice squad, ending a transition from tackle to guard that showed promise during the preseason.
Campbell Defines RB2 as a Committee
With Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve, the Lions are entering Week 1 without a defined primary backup to Jahmyr Gibbs. Coach Dan Campbell indicated that the role will be shared rather than assigned to a single player. Dan Campbell provided some clarity on Detroit Lions’ RB2 situation, stating, “It’s about committee, too,” regarding Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors.
Campbell highlighted that while Saylors impressed in the preseason with 187 rushing yards on 31 carries, Vaki has earned significant reps in practice and brings essential special teams value. Campbell noted that Vaki is ready to take on the role as a runner, pass protector, and receiver, feeling good about either guy when Gibbs needs a breather. Vaki, a former safety, has struggled with injuries throughout his career but has been working behind Gibbs while Pacheco was sidelined. The coaching staff remains confident in his ability to handle the workload despite his limited game action in 2024 and 2025.
Seven Captains Named for 2026 Season
The Lions announced their team captains for the 2026 season, featuring three first-time selections alongside four returning leaders. Detroit announced quarterback Jared Goff, left tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown as the offensive captains. Goff enters his sixth year as a captain, while St. Brown and Sewell return for their fourth consecutive seasons.
On defense, linebacker Jack Campbell and defensive lineman Alim McNeill join edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson as captains. Both Campbell and McNeill are first-year captains, with Campbell earning his first All-Pro nod last year and McNeill looking to bounce back from ACL surgery. Hutchinson is serving his third season in the role after a career-best 14.5 sacks last year. Jack Fox was named the special teams captain, marking his first year representing the team in that capacity after establishing himself as one of the league’s top punters.
Defensive Line Outlook and Roster Flexibility
The Lions are banking on a deep and talented defensive line to compensate for questions in the secondary. General manager Brad Holmes said a big priority this offseason was adding ‘juice’ to their defensive line room and particularly the pass rush. The unit includes Hutchinson, newcomer DJ Wonnum, rookie Derrick Moore, and a healthy Alim McNeill. Wonnum is expected to provide a steady complement to Hutchinson, with Campbell describing him as a “crafty, sneaky, smart veteran” who understands the run game. Campbell said, “I think he’s been very consistent with what we’ve asked him to do. There’s nothing flashy about it, but he’s a crafty, sneaky, smart veteran football player that understands how to play the run”.
The team still has two open roster spots and is considering options to fill them, likely focusing on special teams contributors. Campbell said, “Our eyes are always open… we’ve got a pretty good idea of what we want to do going into this game,” regarding the open spots. Veteran receiver Tom Kennedy is a strong candidate to fill one of the spots given the team’s lack of depth at wide receiver and the need for a punt returner. The Lions could approach the decisions multiple ways, having until Saturday afternoon to announce additions to the game-day roster, which includes up to two practice squad elevations.
This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.
