Detroit Lions fans received unfortunate injury news on Thursday. Dan Campbell announced that Kerby Joseph remains without a timetable to return and that rookie wide receiver Kendrick Law suffered an ACL tear in practice. This quickly turned the offseason mood in Detroit pessimistic.
Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game. It doesn't make it hurt any less for the players or the organization, but Lions fans have grown accustomed to these devastating injuries over the years. Law will hopefully return stronger than before and be an important part of this team going forward, but it's hard to deny that he will be facing an uphill battle to do so as a fifth-round pick.
Dominic Lovett's chances of making the final roster increased dramatically
Before the injury, Law was on track to make the 53-man roster. Behind the starters in the WR room, Greg Dortch, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Law were expected to make the final roster. Now, we can expect a training camp competition for the final spot, and this presents an opportunity for Dominic Lovett.
Last year's seventh-round selection made the 53-man roster as a rookie. He was merely used on special teams as a rookie and only took 14 offensive snaps. The additions of Dortch, Wilson, and Law didn't bode well for Lovett's prospects, but now he could earn his way back onto the rotation.
Lovett could provide a different element to the Lions' offense as a depth piece. He is a prototypical slot receiver, and the bulk of his snaps last preseason came in the slot. He doesn't have the size and the burst to thrive on the outside, but the Lions don't need him to do that. Lovett is a good route-runner with solid body control and hands.
The problem is that Dortch has also played the majority of his snaps on the inside over the last two years. Wilson has played both on the inside and outside, so he is more than capable of lining up as a slot receiver as well.
Plus, Tom Kennedy, Jackson Meeks, and Malik Cunningham, as well as new UDFA addition Kyre Duplessis, are all battling for a roster spot. Few of these names are better suited for the practice squad, to be sure, but Lovett will still be facing some competition.
Lovett may have a better shot of making the final roster now, but he still has work to do. Unless he proves himself in OTAs and training camp, he may find himself on the practice squad looking in.
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