Despite Blowout Loss, Several Fringe Players Made Their Case
The Detroit Lions’ 34-7 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on July 31 may have been tough to watch from a team perspective, but as always in the preseason, individual performances matter more than the scoreboard.

With more than 60 players seeing the field, the question shifts away from the result and toward roster building:
Which player helped their 53-man roster chances the most against the Chargers?

Let’s break down some of the standout risers from the Lions’ preseason opener.

Offensive Line: Awosika, Muti, and Sorsdal Make Their Move
Kayode Awosika
A name familiar to Detroit coaches and fans alike, Kayode Awosika delivered one of the most consistent and clean performances on the offensive line. Long seen as a roster bubble candidate, Awosika’s strong outing may finally secure his spot. His fundamentals, footwork, and anchor in pass protection stood out — a reflection of why the Lions have kept him around for multiple seasons.

Netane Muti
Equally impressive was Netane Muti, who matched Awosika’s energy and made his case for being more than just camp depth. With both players likely fighting for one available backup interior spot, this battle just got a lot more interesting heading into Week 2 of preseason.

Colby Sorsdal
Further down the depth chart, Colby Sorsdal showed massive improvement, particularly in run blocking during the second half. After transitioning to guard, Sorsdal looked more comfortable than ever. If he continues trending upward, he could earn a surprise spot on the 53-man roster.

Tight End Battle Heats Up: Yeboah vs. Horton
Kenny Yeboah
Though tight end Kenny Yeboah has had a quiet training camp, he emerged as a major force in Thursday’s game — especially as a blocker. Working inline, Yeboah helped spring several solid runs and looked far more physical than expected. If not for his injury late in the game, his performance might have vaulted him to the top of the third-tight-end competition.

Zach Horton
Splitting snaps between traditional tight end and fullback duties, Zach Horton was another bright spot. His versatility and physicality give him a real chance to unseat Shane Zylstra if he can keep it up in the next three preseason games.

Currently, Zylstra may still have the lead due to his all-around skill set, but Horton and Yeboah have turned this into a legitimate battle.

Clear Locks but Limited Surprise: Hassanein, Ya-Sin, TeSlaa
It’s worth noting that players like Ahmed Hassanein, Rock Ya-Sin, and Isaac TeSlaa also played well — but their roster spots were never really in question. Their solid performances further cemented their place on the team, but didn’t shift the needle much in terms of roster battles.

Editor’s Pick: Biggest Roster Stock Riser
If we had to choose one player who helped themselves the most in the preseason opener, Kayode Awosika would be the pick. His poise, consistency, and ability to anchor the right side in both the pass and run game stood out clearly, especially with the offensive line struggling overall.