The Detroit Lions travel to play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday to begin the 2025 NFL regular season. Kicking off the season in a divisional battle is never easy, but the Lions swept the season series in 2024.
They hope to continue the positive play against Green Bay, and head coach Dan Campbell revealed that rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa will be on the field on Sunday, as the team will find a place for him. He even stated that TeSlaa will get some special team reps.
#Lions HC Dan Campbell says they’ll find a place in the Week 1 game for rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa, and he’ll get special teams reps, too.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) September 1, 2025
Isaac TeSlaa Will Touch the Field in Week 1 for Lions
TeSlaa was drafted with the 70th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft by Detroit. His size (6'4, 214 pounds) with an impressive RAS score made him an interesting prospect for the Lions. And he didn't waste time flashing that skillset this offseason.
TeSlaa was a consistent standout during team practices, and that translated over to the field when the preseason took place. The 23-year-old was tied for seventh in the NFL in receiving yards (146) and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (3) with 10 catches in the 2025 preseason. According to PFF, he logged an 85.1 offensive grade over his four preseason games.
Back on Aug. 27, the Lions decided to trade veteran WR Tim Patrick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2026 sixth-round pick, and the emergence of TeSlaa certainly played a role in that move. Detroit has Kalif Raymond and Dominic Lovett as the depth options in the receiver room, making it clear why the Lions will make sure to get TeSlaa some reps.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs are the top four targets in the passing attack. The Lions have an abundance of playmakers at their disposal, and TeSlaa is the latest one to join the crew.
Considering how deep this team is on offense, it allows him to continue developing at his own pace, but Campbell making it clear that the rookie WR will get playing time in Week 1 is huge. It showcases that the coaching staff doesn't want to keep him on the sideline and will find ways to get him on the field.
How he fares in this showdown can help shape how he will be used early in the season. And Lions fans should be excited to see No. 18 on the field against Green Bay.