Lions Report - Preseason vs Chargers 7/31/2025

Lions vs. Chargers: Full Game Summary

Final Score: Chargers 34, Lions 7

The Lions’ preseason tilt against the Chargers ended with more questions than answers for Detroit’s roster hopefuls. After a first half marred by turnovers, penalties, and breakdowns in all three phases, the second half saw the defense show flashes of resilience, but the offense failed to generate sustained momentum behind new faces.

Game Flow

Lions vs. Chargers – 1st Quarter Summary

Offensive Highlights & Struggles

• Kyle Allen (QB):
  
• Flashed some good throws on play-action, connecting twice with Isaac Tesla for gains of 20 and 15 yards.
• Hurt his team with two interceptions—one a forced throw into double coverage, the other on an out-route picked clean.
• First quarter stat line: 2 big completions, 2 turnovers; needs to protect the football.
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• Craig Reynolds (RB):
  
• Reliable but limited by the 2nd-string O-line; had a solid screen catch for a first down.
• Hustled after slipping in the backfield to avoid a bigger loss.
• Overall: did what he could, but run blocking needs improvement.
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• Isaac Tesla (WR):
  
• Made the most of his opportunities—showed burst and run-after-catch ability.
• Opened eyes with multiple chunk gains.
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• Dominic Lovett (WR/PR):
  
• Mixed quarter: dropped a contested pass after a hit, but later turned a short catch into extra yards and ripped off a 20-yard punt return.
• Special teams spark plug.
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Defensive & Special Teams Recap

• Early miscues hurt:
  
• Fumbled opening kickoff (Grant Stuard), short field for Chargers, led to points.
• Penalties and missed tackles, especially by linebackers (Trevor Nowoski, Zach Cunningham), set the tone for a shaky start.
• Both Cunningham and Loren Strickland failed to finish a goal-line tackle on a touchdown run.
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• Positive defensive moments:
  
• Rock Ya-Sin: Impressive tackle for no gain.
• Grant Stuard: Rebounded from the fumble with a strong kick return, a hustle sack, and a solid open-field tackle (+5 impact so far).
• Ahmad Hassanein: Made two good stops, including a pressure on 3rd down to force a Chargers missed field goal.
• #38 (DB): Key open-field tackle on 3rd down to force a punt.
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• Special teams:
  
• Grant Stuard (KR) and Dominic Lovett (PR) both had impactful returns, flipping field position and showing resilience after mistakes.
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First Quarter Themes

• Lions are their own worst enemy: Turnovers, penalties, missed tackles, and blown coverages put them in a hole.
• Young talent and depth flashing: Despite the score, there were moments of high effort and potential (Stuard, Tesla, Hassanein, Lovett).
• Momentum opportunities: If they cut down mistakes, the game is still very much in play.

 

Lions vs. Chargers – 2nd Quarter Summary

Score at Half: Chargers 21, Lions 7

Quarter Recap:

Lions Offense Finds Rhythm off the run.

• Craig Reynolds emerged as the spark plug, ripping off gains of 11, 4, 4, and 12 yards—including a spectacular cutback touchdown from 3 yards out.
  
• Showed excellent vision and agility, made defenders miss, and finished runs with authority.
• Capped a sustained scoring drive, putting the Lions on the board.
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• Dominic Lovett rebounded well, making clutch catches—including a 10-yarder in traffic and a tough 3-yard snag on 4th-and-1 to keep the TD drive alive.
  
• Also contributed with a screen pass and showed growth in contested catch situations.
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• Offensive line (with Jacoby Jones, Netane Muti, Dan Skipper, Kingsley Eguakun, and Wilkerson) provided much better run blocking in the second quarter, opening holes for Reynolds and Jabari Small.
  
• Jamarco Jones overcame an earlier penalty and even showed good mobility on an outside run.
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• Kyle Allen settled down, using play-action effectively to connect with Isaac Tesla for chunk gains and scrambling for a first down when needed.
  
• Still needs to protect the ball, but avoided turnovers this quarter.

Defensive Highs and Lows

• Broderick Martin stood out, repeatedly anchoring the middle:
  
• Stuffed a run for no gain, then, when off the field, the Chargers immediately ripped off a first down—highlighting his value.
• Double-teamed upon his return and still gave up no ground, setting the tone for a stout run stop.
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• Ahmad Hassanein ended the half with a strong stop, stuffing a run for no gain and consistently flashing good run defense and tackling.
• Ennis Rakestraw’s illegal hands to the face extended a drive and was followed by a big play-action chunk, exposing linebacker discipline issues against play fakes.
• Defensive back #17 gave up a touchdown, getting beat badly on a slant and missing the tackle for a walk-in score.

Special Teams and Miscellaneous

 

• Dominic Lovett and Grant Stuard contributed strong returns, helping field position.

 

Quarter Themes

• Offensive Line & Run Game: Much improved in the second quarter, allowing the Lions to sustain drives and put up points.
• Resilience: Reynolds, Lovett, and Stuard all bounced back after early mistakes to make big positive contributions.
• Defensive Consistency Needed: While Martin and Hassanein provided highlight moments up front, coverage busts and linebacker mistakes continued to hurt—especially against play action and in the red

 

Second Half

• Special teams meltdown: A muffed punt led to more Chargers points. Lovett flagged for illegal touching. The defense, led by Ahmad Hassanein and Anthony Pittman, did respond with several red zone stands, holding LA to field goals.
• Hendon Hooker’s debut: The rookie QB showed mobility and composure at times, but also made risky throws and was sacked behind an O-line that couldn’t hold up. Jabari Small churned out tough yards, but a late fumble (recovered) summed up the night’s offensive woes.
• Defensive resilience: The line, especially with Martin and Hassanein, delivered strong goal line efforts late, but the unit wore down, surrendering a fourth-quarter TD to cap the scoring at 34–7.

 

 

 

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Impact Leaders & Skill Grades Recap

Offense

• Craig Reynolds (RB):

• Impact: +8

• Grades: Vision 9, Agility 9

• Notes: Best playmaker, scored Lions’ lone TD.

• Dominic Lovett (WR):

• Impact: +6, but -2 for late INT (contested drop)

• Grades: Hands 8, YAC 8, Contested 4

• Notes: Tough catches and key conversions, but late-game drop stung.

• Jabari Small (RB):

• Impact: +6, 1 fumble (recovered)

• Grades: Vision 8, Ball Security 5

• Notes: Showed grit, moved chains, but needs better ball security.

• Isaac Tesla (WR):

• Impact: +4

• Grades: YAC 8, Burst 8

• Notes: Flashed with chunk plays early.

• Hendon Hooker (QB):

• Impact: -2

• Grades: Mobility 7, Decision 7 (but risky at times), Accuracy 6

• Notes: Not at fault for late INT; promising mobility, would like to see him play with the 2nd unit.

Defense

• Broderick Martin (DT):

• Impact: +6

• Grades: Strength 9, Run Defense 8

• Notes: Run D difference-maker, commanded double teams, rarely moved.

• Ahmad Hassanein (DE):

• Impact: +6

• Grades: Run Defense 8, Tackling 8

• Notes: Clutch stops, run defense anchor, good edge discipline.

• Anthony Pittman (LB):

• Impact: +5

• Grades: Play Recognition 9, Tackling 8

• Notes: Diagnosed screens, open field stops, missed a goal line edge on 4th-and-goal TD.

• Grant Stuard (LB/ST):

• Impact: +5 (sack, returns, tackles), -2 for opening fumble

• Notes: Big hustle plays, rebounded well from mistakes.

• Bootle (#17, CB):

• Impact: -7

• Grades: Coverage 3, Discipline 3

• Notes: Penalties, allowed big plays, rough night.

Special Teams

• Lovett & Stuard: Both had explosive returns and key miscues (Lovett, illegal touching; Stuard, early fumble).

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Players to Watch – Postgame Feature

Rookies

• Isaac Tesla (WR): Proved he can win on the outside and generate big plays after the catch.

• Dominic Lovett (WR): Up and down; clutch when focused, but has to finish late-game catches.

• Jabari Small (RB): Gritty, moved the chains, showed why he’s in the rotation.

• Ahmad Hassanein (DE): Made the D-line rotation interesting with his energy and consistency.

• Dan Jackson, Meeks, Miles Frazier: Saw action, look for expanded roles and special teams contributions as preseason continues.

• Tyleik Williams, Tate Ratledge: Did not play—eyes on them next game.

Key Depth/Developmental Players

• Hendon Hooker (QB): Showed flashes, protected ball except for late INT (not his fault), needs more reps.

• Broderick Martin (DT): Looked like a run-stuffer starter; team’s best run defender tonight.

• Ennis Rakestraw (CB): Mixed bag, must cut down on penalties.

• Anthony Pittman (LB): Versatile, led with energy, good tackler.

• Colby Sorsdal, Gio Manu (OL): In the rotation; O-line must cut down on penalties and blown assignments.

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“Preseason is about finding out who can play and who can’t. The Lions saw real flashes from their rookies—Isaac Tesla, Dominic Lovett, Ahmad Hassanein, and Jabari Small all had moments to remember. But it was the veterans and depth guys like Broderick Martin and Anthony Pittman who showed they belong on Sundays. Special teams and discipline must improve, and the QB2 situation remains open. Detroit drops this one 34–7, but the real story is who flashed and who faded. On to the next one.”