ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said the preseason is where the roster will begin to separate. It’s when you find out how guys perform under the lights, and if what they’re being taught in camp can translate to games.

Where do things stand now that the preseason opener is in the books?

Time for a fresh 53-man roster projection.

Quarterbacks (2)

Starter: Jared Goff

Reserve: Joshua Dobbs

Cut: Luke Altmyer

The question here is whether or not the Lions carry two or three quarterbacks. Goff is the starter, and Dobbs feels as close to a lock as possible given the circumstances. Dobbs has been here for about a week, but he’s previously been with the organization, has known Goff for 15 years and has played for Drew Petzing. He’s perfect for what the Lions are looking for in a backup. To make carrying three QBs worth their while, though, Altmyer has to make the most of his opportunities. He was solid in his preseason debut, and he’s the most mobile quarterback of the three in camp, but the Lions could opt to stash him on the practice squad instead and continue developing him.

Running backs (4)

Starter: Jahmyr Gibbs

Reserves: Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors

Cut: Jabari Small, Trayveon Williams, Raheem Blackshear

This room is far from healthy. Pacheco is dealing with an MCL sprain and will need more time before he’s ready to go. Vaki broke his nose and was poked in the eye (which was red for a week) in a practice, and just returned. Saylors hurt his ankle in the preseason opener. Also, Small missed the preseason opener.

When healthy, the room feels somewhat set. If the Lions go with four, it’ll likely be Gibbs, Pacheco, Vaki and Saylors. If it’s three, Gibbs, Pacheco and Vaki feel like locks.

Wide receivers (5)

Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa

Reserves: Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett

Cut: Tay Martin, Tarik Black, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Malik Cunningham, Tom Kennedy, Lucky Jackson

Campbell loves the depth in this room, but does it love it enough to roster six receivers? St. Brown, Williams, TeSlaa and Dortch are locks. Lovett can serve a purpose as an upside receiver with return ability behind Dortch, and rookie Kendrick Law’s injury makes it easier to justify. There’s an ongoing competition for the No. 6 spot, should the Lions choose to roster six. In the end, I think there could be room for one more, but there hasn’t been enough separation as of yet. My money would be on Martin. Campbell raved about him Saturday morning — particularly what he can add on special teams. But he has to keep stacking days.

Tight ends (3)

Starter: Sam LaPorta

Reserves: Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin

Cut: Jackson Meeks, Thomas Gordon, Zach Horton, Miles Kitselman

The Lions could go light at tight end again. LaPorta and Wright are locks, and you have to think Conklin is too after the team signed him this offseason. If there’s a case for a fourth, it could be Meeks. A 2025 UDFA wide receiver, the Lions moved Meeks to tight end late last year and liked what they saw. He returned for training camp this year as a full-time tight end and has looked explosive. He might need more time on task, which makes him a practice-squad candidate, but there’s upside here.

Offensive line (9)

Starters (right to left): Blake Miller, Tate Ratledge, Juice Scruggs, Christian Mahogany, Penei Sewell

Reserves: Ben Bartch, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Seth McLaughlin

IR to return: Cade Mays

Cut: Mason Miller, Melvin Priestly, Michael Niese, Devin Cochran, Colby Sorsdal

The injury to Mays is a big one, as the Lions will be without their starting center and big free-agent addition until mid-to-late October. Have to think Scruggs is the favorite to start. He spent most of Saturday’s practice as Goff’s primary center. However, Mays’ injury opens the door for McLaughlin to make the roster as a reserve center.

Ratledge, Sewell and Miller are locks to start, and Mahogany and Bartch will battle it out for left guard.

Tyler Lacy saw action in 10 games with the Lions last season and has been a constant with the first unit during offseason workouts. (Junfu Han / Imagn Images)

Defensive line (10)

Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams, Alim McNeill, Tyler Lacy

Reserves: D.J. Wonnum, Derrick Moore, Ahmed Hassanein, Levi Onwuzurike, Skyler Gill-Howard, Chris Smith

Cut: Payton Turner, Mekhi Wingo, Anthony Lucas, Tyre West, Eric O’Neill, Myles Adams, Ben Stille, Aidan Keanaaina

The surprise here is that Lacy is a projected starter, but he’s earned the majority of first-team reps dating back to OTAs and minicamp. The Lions love him in the big end role, and he can also kick inside and play some defensive tackle. Wonnum, Moore and Hassanein round out a solid edge room. Onwuzurike, Gill-Howard and Smith represent the DT depth behind Williams and McNeill. Smith was a toss-up, but the Lions could use some size after losing DJ Reader and Roy Lopez.

Linebacker (6)

Starters: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin White or Malcolm Rodriguez

Reserves: Trevor Nowaske, Damone Clark

IR to return: Jimmy Rolder

Cut: Erick Hunter, Joe Bachie, Troy Reeder, Amen Ogbongbemiga

A deep room, especially when Rolder returns. The Lions know what they’re getting in Campbell, Barnes and Rodriguez. The organization kept six linebackers last year, so it makes sense for them to carry six again. Rolder appeared at practice Saturday afternoon but was mostly getting work in off to the side. Campbell said he’d need a minute. Clark has also missed time of late, but I’m keeping him here for now because of his special teams ability.

Cornerbacks (8)

Starters: D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Christian Izien (nickel)

Reserves: Nick Whiteside, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Keith Abney II (nickel), Khalil Dorsey, Roger McCreary

Cut: Aamaris Brown, Ryan Cooper Jr., Ekow Boye-Doe

Cornerback has to be one of the — if not, the — most concerning positions. Reed is coming off an injury-plagued season and is already dealing with a groin injury. Ya-Sin is entering his age-30 season. Rakestraw is trying to live up to his second-round draft status, and hasn’t been able to stay healthy. McCreary is an experienced veteran, but he’s had more downs than ups this training camp. And while Whiteside’s been one of the better players in camp, he doesn’t have much of a track record and is now dealing with a hamstring injury. There are a lot of unknowns here. The Lions are hoping it materializes.

Safeties (3)

Starters: Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox

Reserves: Thomas Harper

PUP: Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch

Cut: Dan Jackson

Clark and Maddox have been mainstays at safety since camp began. It doesn’t feel like they’re going to lose grip on their roles. Harper is in the mix as well as a reserve safety with starting experience. Izien has nickel/safety versatility, so you could include him here as well. Those four should be enough as the Lions slowly bring back Branch and Joseph — who could return in late August/early September.

Specialists (3)

Starters: Jack Fox (punter), Jake Bates (place kicker), Hogan Hatten (long snapper)

No surprises here. These three are locked in for the third consecutive year. One of the best specialist trios in the NFL.