The NFL season is officially here and the Detroit Lions got things kicked off in the Hall of Fame preseason game on Thursday, getting blown out 34-7 by the Los Angeles Chargers.
These games are obviously meaningless, serving merely as an opportunity for the coaching staff and front office to evaluate lower-tier players ahead of roster cutdown day later this month. That said, it's still a critical moment for young guys and depth pieces to prove themselves in live action.
Unfortunately for one recent Lions signing, he might have just blown his chance to earn a role or even make the team.
The Lions let linebacker Grant Stuard be their kick returner to start the game.
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) August 1, 2025
He fumbled the ball.pic.twitter.com/aCPhS0Ch8o
Lions LB Grant Stuard Just Blew a Big Chance in 1st Preseason Game
26-year-old linebacker Grant Stuard, who hopes to back up Jack Campbell in the middle, had a bit of a rough night. For some reason, Detroit let him return the opening kick. Again, this is a linebacker we're talking about. He promptly fumbled, allowing Los Angeles to capitalize on a short field and immediately score a touchdown.
He was good defensively, compiling four tackles and a sack, though this was his one chance to be a ball carrier and he blew it. Why exactly head coach Dan Campbell let Stuard return the kick isn't clear. Stuard is 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds with great speed, having notched a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, though there's a reason that defensive players don't typically return kicks aside from cornerbacks.
After the blunder, it's unlikely that Stuard will return kicks again. That's nothing against him, and he's still got a chance to make the team as a depth piece, but his role will be limited to what it's supposed to be: just playing defense.
Stuard spent the last three years with the Indianapolis Colts after playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during his rookie campaign. He started five games in 2024, notching 40 tackles while playing over 70% of special teams snaps. That's likely to be his role for the Lions should he make the final roster, helping to provide depth while playing on the forgotten third.
Fortunately for all involved, it looks like his days as a kick returner are over.