Lions Release First Unofficial Depth Chart Of Season
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
The Lions released their first regular-season depth chart of the year on Tuesday, and the biggest question (who will return kicks?) has been answered. TJ Jones, who locked up the fifth receiver spot on the roster this weekend, is listed as the top guy for both punt and kick return duties.
In the preseason, Jones returned six punts for an average of 9.8 yards each, but was never back to return kickoffs. Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner, Quandre Diggs and Josh Wilson all returned kickoffs during the preseason.
On Monday, head coach Jim Caldwell said he wasn't sure who would handle return duties yet, and didn't rule out the possibility of Golden Tate and Abdullah doing so at some point.
"Had a chance to see him (Jones) during the preseason a bit and he made some nice runs," Caldwell said. "He runs a little faster than what you think, he can make you miss and he certainly can break a tackle once in a while. It's not his forte, but he certainly has that ability."
On Tuesday's depth chart, Tate was listed as the backup punt returner and Wilson was the backup kick returner.
At running back, Joique Bell is listed as number one, even after he missed virtually all of training camp and the preseason. Theo Riddick is second, and Abdullah third, with Zenner rounding out the group.
New tight end Tim Wright, who the Lions recently traded for, is listed as the backup behind second-year player Eric Ebron.
Rookie Laken Tomlinson, who Detroit took in the first round of this year's draft, is in a backup spot at left guard behind Manny Ramirez. And at right guard, Larry Warford, who has been dealing with a high ankle sprain, is listed as the starter.
On the defensive side, DeAndre Levy is still listed as a starter at linebacker, but Caldwell said earlier this week he said he couldn't be "certain" Levy would play on Sunday. Levy has sat out practice since last week due to an undisclosed injury.
The depth chart released Tuesday was unofficial, so plenty of things could change before Detroit lines up against the Chargers on Sunday.