The Detroit Lions took a preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, but the real gut punch came after the game: sixth-round rookie Hassanein went down with a pectoral injury, and there’s a real chance we won’t see him on the field again this year. It’s tough to overstate how much buzz he’d built up in camp. Every day, you could see the lightbulb getting brighter, the plays coming a little faster, the confidence growing. He looked like a guy who’d be a factor in the rotation before too long. Now, that whole plan’s in limbo.
It’s a brutal turn for a rookie who’s been one of the best stories of the summer, both on and off the field. Hassanein’s been a favorite around the building. He’s easy to root for, easy to talk to, always putting in the work. You could see the pathway to real snaps by November. That dream just got a lot more complicated.
But where one door slams shut, another cracks open. The edge rusher competition has been the most heated battle in Allen Park outside of the backup quarterback race. Nate Lynn, Isaac Ukwu, and Keith Cooper Jr. have all made their cases. Before this injury, it felt like someone would get squeezed out. Now, the numbers game just got a little easier. In fact, there’s a scenario where all three stick.
Both Ukwu and Lynn have flashed with the first team, especially in joint practices against Miami. The Lions don’t have to pick just one; they can let both take a shot at making noise once the games actually count. All this, of course, is assuming Za’Darius Smith doesn’t come back and throw another wrench into the mix.
As for Cooper, he’s shown some real versatility. He can man the big end or bump inside. He’s stacked some impressive moments this camp and has probably nudged ahead of Brodric Martin for a spot. Myles Adams is lurking, though, and Dan Campbell made a point of mentioning him after the game. There’s never a throwaway comment this time of year.
We’ve got one week left. One joint practice, one more preseason game, and then final cuts. Who’s going to snatch a job? Who’s getting left out? It’s as wide open as ever, and the next week will decide it all.
What do you think? Should all three edge rushers make the team, or is someone getting left behind? Drop your thoughts in the comments or join the forum and let’s talk it out.