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What’s being said after Lions close preseason with strong showing in Carolina

Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez plays against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater watches during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld runs against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green runs for a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson breaks up a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green =runs for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green celebrates after scoring against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble runs past Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions place-kicker Riley Patterson kicks a field goal against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young throws a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen catches a touchdown pass ahead of Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater plays against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater passes against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen scores past Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson breaks up a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Chase Cota during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Detroit Lions fullback Jason Cabinda runs against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers defensive end Kobe Jones celebrates after the Detroit Lions missed a field goal during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young runs against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds is tackled by Carolina Panthers linebacker Eku Leota during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young breaks away from Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young breaks away from Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich watches during warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions quarterback Adrian Martinez warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches during warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C.. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff watches during warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Detroit Lions defensive end Isaiah Buggs warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Corral smiles during warm ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

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The Detroit Lions received a boost from several of their bubble players to close the preseason with a 26-17 win over the Carolina Panthers on Friday night.

Rookie wide receiver Antoine Green caught a 70-yard touchdown pass to end the first half. Making matters more difficult for the team’s brass were the strong performances by Dylan Drummond and Chase Cota. Running back Craig Reynolds was the most consistent offensive player for the Lions in their exhibition finale, looking strong in his quest to reclaim RB3. And those defenders were lights out after a shaky first quarter.

Steven Gilmore played a ton of snaps and rewarded the Lions with his game-sealing pick-six interception in the fourth quarter. And Chase Lucas added an interception of his own, with a diving play at the goal line to steal one from veteran quarterback Andy Dalton. In the defensive trenches, it was electric pass rusher James Houston doing what he does best deep into this game. And Levi Onwuzurike put a nice bow on his comeback attempt, with a notable pressure and tackle for loss and a tight end screen.

Final roster cuts are due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. MLive will have dueling 53-man roster projections from beat writers Ben Raven and Kyle Meinke to open the weekend. For more, check out our new Subtext service, which directly connects you to one-on-one opportunities with Raven, Meinke and Kory Woods.

From around the country:

No. 1 pick Bryce Young looks sharp, throws first TD pass in final tuneup for regular season -- Associated Press

What We Learned from Friday’s preseason games -- NFL.com

Bryce Young ends preseason with first touchdown drive -- Pro Football Talk

Lions stock report: 9 reserves who helped their roster chances vs. Panthers -- Pride of Detroit

Young saves best for last Panthers preseason game -- NFL.com

Quick takeaways from the Lions preseason win vs. the Panthers -- Lions Wire

Teddy Bridgewater will wear No. 17 tonight after previously wearing No. 50 -- Pro Football Talk

NFL roster cuts tracker: Team-by-team player moves ahead of the 2023 season -- NFL.com

From MLive:

Live updates recap: Lions boosted by bubble players, close preseason with 26-17 win

Observations: Lions flex depth in win against Panthers in preseason finale

QB Nate Sudfeld carted to locker room in Lions’ preseason finale

Former second-round pick hits another milestone in comeback bid for Lions

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