There was good news at the NFL 53-man cutdown date for the Detroit Lions. The team successfully implemented their plan to get younger (and hopefully healthier). There was bad news a couple days later with the announcement of Isiah Pacheco to IR. Check out my Lions IR/PUP/NFI Tracker for up-to-date summaries.
Let’s start with the good news. At the end, you can peruse the full Lions’ preseason stats.
The Detroit Lions Got Younger
NFL 2026 Average Team Age at Cutdown: Lions 7th youngest
NFL 2025 Average Team Age at Cutdown: Lions 29th youngest
The Lions improved a whopping 22 spots in average age from 2025 to 2026. What’s notable is that the Lions’ average age didn’t actually change much from 2025 to 2026 (about 40 days younger in 2026), but the overall age across the NFL increased.
In 2025: 9 teams averaged 26 or younger. 2 teams averaged 27 and older.
In 2026: 1 team averaged 26 or younger. 10 teams averaged 27 and older.
The increased rookie ages due to college NIL and lax eligibility rules may be the reason.
Regardless of the Lions’ absolute age, it’s relativity that matters in the NFL. You don’t have to be good, you just have to be better than the other teams. Just like you don’t have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun your friend…
Unfortunately, being young doesn’t protect you completely from injuries, which brings us to the 27-year-old Isiah Pacheco…
Isiah Pacheco, RB - Goes on IR
This oft-injured running back suffered 2 significant injuries before the season even started. Here’s the timeline:
August 9: MCL sprain suspected to be mild-moderate in severity with projected return by Week 1.
~August 20: Unspecified back injury.
September 1: Placed on IR for back injury.
Last week, Dan Campbell had clearly stated that he was worried about Pacheco’s back, not his knee.
Pacheco’s first eligible game is Week 5, October 11. That means this is looking to be a two-month back injury… or worse. Any kind of simple strain/sprain of the back shouldn’t keep him out this long. The timeline raises concern for a spinal issue. If this is indeed a spine injury, it could easily be a season-ender.
@Dr_MattyIce on X made a good point - Why put Pacheco on IR two days after the cutdown?
The Lions only used 1 of their 2 IR-eligible-to-returns that don’t count towards the 53-man roster (Cade Mays). By using the other IR-eligible slot on Pacheco, the team could have easily freed up a roster spot. The Lions could have protected an additional player or avoided the release-then-re-sign of Tyler Conklin.
Maybe something medically happened in those two days to Pacheco, but that seems unlikely. The Lions are no stranger to curious moves at the cutdown - last year, they only kept 50 on the initial roster.
For the long list of reasons why I gave Pacheco a 6/10 medical concern level upon signing…
Detroit Lions 2026 Final Preseason Stats
For those interested, here are the official NFL stats for the Lions’ preseason.
Notable takeaways:
Jabari Small made the 53-man roster with just 3 carries for 16 yards. Injuries were a big part of the reason for the low number of carries. Yesterday, I reviewed why it was a surprise that Small made the roster.
Greg Dortch had just 2 catches for 22 yards. He also added 3 punt returns and 1 kickoff return. Many were surprised by his release, and he has since been signed to the Bills practice squad.
Ahmed Hassanein, Skyler Gill-Howard, Derrick Moore, and DJ Wonnum picked up sacks. It would help tremendously if at least one from that group can shine in the regular season and deliver regular pressure. The other player who got a sack, Myles Adams, did not make the team.
Quarterbacks Josh Dobbs had 2 fumbles and Luke Altmyer had 3 fumbles. They will need to hold onto the ball much better if they have to play in the regular season.
Based on who returned the ball for the Lions and who is left on the team, it’s looking like Dominic Lovett and/or Tom Kennedy will be the returner in Week 1. Both are currently on the practice squad and can be called up.