The training camp for the Detroit Lions is about to kick off with the entire roster reporting on Tuesday. The first practice will take place on Wednesday. It will be an intense training camp battle in multiple positions, as Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have both talked about how they expect this to be the deepest training camp roster they have ever had. This will create difficult decisions for the coaching staff.
On Monday, the competition in one position got much tougher, and these decisions may have gotten significantly harder. The Lions are reportedly adding veteran linebacker Troy Reeder. The 31-year-old defender will join camp and try to make the 53-man roster.
It just got harder to make the Lions' 53-man roster
Reeder is a familiar face for NFL fans. He has been a part of the Los Angeles Rams' success for a long time, playing in nine playoff games with the franchise. He was a key member of the Super Bowl-winning team, playing 21 defensive snaps and 24 special teams snaps in the Super Bowl victory over the Bengals. He also spent a season with the Chargers and has appeared in a total of 106 regular-season games in the NFL.
The formerly undrafted linebacker is joining a position group that underwent some changes this spring. Alex Anzalone left in free agency, and the Lions replaced him with fourth-round pick Jimmy Rolder. Damone Clark was also added for depth purposes, but there is still some uncertainty in the LB room.
Malcolm Rodriguez is expected to have the inside track to be the starter alongside Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes entering training camp. Rolder, however, impressed during the organized team activities and minicamp. Even if he doesn't take over as the starter in Week 1, he should have the chance to climb up the depth chart during the season.
Reeder will provide depth and insurance as a competent veteran. After missing most of the season with a hamstring injury in 2024, Reeder spent most of 2025 as a backup. He was almost exclusively used as a special teamer, playing 328 ST snaps compared to only 81 defensive snaps in 17 games. So, he is already used to this role, and most of his value will come on special teams.
However, Reeder was still solid in his limited defensive snaps. In fact, on Pro Football Focus, he received the second-highest defensive grade of his career last season. If he can play at a level anywhere near that, he could have a chance to crack the 53-man roster.
This will obviously depend on his training camp performance, but making the roster just got harder for many players on the roster bubble.
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