By Moses Joshua 
Uncertainty at the Top of the Depth Chart Puts Detroit’s Rookie in a Tough Spot
A Cloud of Doubt Over Detroit’s Offensive Plans
The Detroit Lions’ Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers was damaging enough — but the fallout that followed may prove even more consequential. Star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown suffered a low ankle sprain expected to sideline him one to two weeks, a troubling development for a team already on the outside looking in as December football begins.
On a short week leading into a pivotal Thursday night clash against the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit finds itself juggling game prep, injury management, and playoff urgency all at once. And caught in the middle of it is rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa — whose role hangs entirely on whether St. Brown can suit up.
Head coach Dan Campbell made the uncertainty clear, telling Costa and Jansen with Heather that St. Brown’s status won’t be determined until “gameday or the day before,” offering no clarity for those tasked with stepping up in his absence.
Opportunity Meets Limbo for Detroit’s Rookie Receiver
TeSlaa has been steadily building momentum, punctuated by his third touchdown of the season on Thanksgiving. In a more predictable scenario — with St. Brown already ruled out — the rookie would be preparing for an expanded WR2 role and a significant bump in snaps.
Instead, he enters the week caught between two possible game plans: one where he is a featured part of the passing attack, and another where he is rotated situationally behind Detroit’s established weapons.
With no full practices during a short week, TeSlaa’s challenge becomes mental. He must absorb two sets of assignments, understand adjustments tied to St. Brown’s presence or absence, and prepare to play the most extensive — or the most limited — role of his young career.
Cowboys Defense Could Force the Ball His Way
If St. Brown is sidelined, the Cowboys defense will almost certainly shift its attention toward Jameson Williams, daring Detroit to beat them with its secondary options. That sets up a scenario where TeSlaa could see favorable one-on-one matchups — opportunities he must convert if the Lions hope to stay competitive.
Detroit’s tight end room is depleted with Sam LaPorta out, and while Tom Kennedy unexpectedly flashed as the WR3 against Green Bay, the Lions cannot rely on a repeat performance. That makes TeSlaa’s reliability and physical play style more essential than ever.
A Crucial Moment for Detroit — and TeSlaa
Lions fans have been calling for the rookie to see more action, and Week 14 could finally deliver that spotlight. But the uncertainty surrounding St. Brown’s ankle puts TeSlaa in a holding pattern — preparing for a starring role that may not materialize, or a limited one he must still impact when opportunities arise.
Regardless of how the injury shakes out, one thing is certain: Detroit cannot afford missteps, and neither can TeSlaa. With the Lions’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, every target, every route, and every snap will matter more than ever.