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Detroit Lions Podcast: Guard Fixes, Secondary in Flux
Week 16 Home Finale: Steelers Visit Ford Field
Week 16 lands in Detroit with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town for the Detroit Lions’ last home game of the season. The Lions enter off a loss to the Rams, and the Detroit Lions Podcast zeroed in on health and depth as the NFL stretch run tightens. The matchup features an Aaron Rodgers led Steelers offense that does not push the ball deep often, paired with what has been one of the slowest wide receiver groups in the league. That combination makes timing, tackling, and nickel execution pivotal for Detroit’s defense.
Thomas Harper’s return from a concussion changes the look on the back end. He went through a full practice and profiles as the replacement for Brian Branch in the nickel. Against a quarterback who prefers intermediate windows, Harper’s quick trigger and slot discipline are timely. The Lions do not have a clean replacement for Kirby Joseph, and that is the core worry in this game.
Secondary in Flux: Hallett Out, Garber In, Joseph Trending Out
Roster churn hit the safety room. Eric Hallett is no longer a Detroit Lion, signed off the practice squad by the Tennessee Titans after he logged notable snaps against the Rams. He flashed position flexibility, and his exit trims depth right where the Lions could use it most. To backfill, Detroit added Keenan Garber, an undrafted rookie from Kansas State who began his college career at wide receiver before moving to the secondary. He has bounced through the Vikings and Colts practice squads. This is a developmental add, an evaluation play for future contracts, not an immediate fix.
Kirby Joseph did not practice Wednesday and Dan Campbell’s tone suggests he is unlikely to go this week. That leaves Avonte Maddox as a hybrid answer and increases the burden on communication. Taylor Decker received veteran rest. The walkthrough produced estimated listings with Tristan Colon limited by a wrist, Giovanni Manu limited with a knee, and Sione Vaki limited with a thumb. The Lions will need special teams reliability from Vaki after a rough outing last week.
Guard Play Under the Microscope
The interior line became a talking point after the Rams loss. Colon opened well at left guard, especially in pass protection, but his play tailed off as the game wore on. Christian Mahogany logged a full practice, and while the staff remains cautiously optimistic, his return would stabilize the spot if he is cleared to dress. If not, clarity on the rotation is needed. Fans keep asking why Miles Frazier, who looked solid in his debut versus the Cowboys, did not see work against the Rams. That remains an open question as Week 16 approaches.
The path is straightforward. Clean up guard play, leverage Harper in the slot, and survive at safety without Joseph. Do that, and the Detroit Lions can close their home slate with control against a methodical Steelers offense. The margin is thin, but the plan fits the opponent.
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