ALLEN PARK -- No preseason game really matters, but the third one matters the most. Often referred to as the "dress rehearsal," it is when the starters play the longest. The Detroit Lions will even watch some film this week and work up some kind of game plan.

And after two abysmal performances to open the Matt Patricia era, both losses, they'll be looking to clean things up against the Buccaneers.

Here's a look at where our projected roster stands with half the preseason in the books, and cuts looming at the end of next week.

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Running back (5)

In: LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah, Nick Bellore (FB)

Out: Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington

Injured: Nick Bawden

Change: None

Breakdown: The Lions started Ameer Abdullah against the Giants, perhaps showcasing him for a possible trade. It didn't go great. Abdullah carried the ball on the first two plays of the game, gaining 3 yards on the first and then fumbling on the second to set up a third-and-long. He finished with three touches for 5 yards and also muffed a kick. At this point, it's difficult to see the Lions getting more value in a trade than they would by just having Abdullah on the roster. He can back up LeGarrette Blount and Kerryon Johnson in the running game, plus has enough athleticism to replace Theo Riddick's role in the passing game.

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Quarterback (2)

In: Matthew Stafford, Matt Cassel

Out: Jake Rudock

Change: None

Breakdown: Still rolling with Cassel here because I believe the staff will value his experience in the film room. Eighty one starts just isn't something Rudock can replicate, no matter how well he plays. But he did help himself against the Giants. He got a turn to play over Cassel and responded by completing 23 of 30 passes for 171 yards. The offense didn't really go anywhere with him under center early, but he re-entered in the fourth and led two touchdown drives, finding TJ Jones from 11 yards out and then running in another from the goal line. Yes, he did it against scrubs, which is why I still think Cassel's experience matters more. But for a team struggling to generate anything positive right now, it's not nothing either.

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Receiver (4)

In: Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, TJ Jones

Out: Jace Billingsley, Teo Redding, Dontez Ford, Andy Jones, Chris Lacy, Bradley Marquez, Brandon Powell, Brian Brown

Change: Billingsley out

Breakdown: I think the Lions like the idea of having a fifth receiver around, but just won't have that luxury if they want to keep a fullback and fourth tight end. And I still think, right now, they want that fullback and fourth tight end. So, obviously, Billingsley is the guy out here, despite TJ Jones' big mistake against the Giants. Jones had a pass sail through his hands that was picked off, a gaffe that eventually led to another touchdown the other way. But Jones has so much experience in this system, he has good chemistry with Matthew Stafford and he can back up all three receiver positions. Billingsley is just a slot. Versatility matters, especially when you're talking about those last few spots on the team.

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Tight end (4)

In: Luke Willson, Michael Roberts, Levine Toilolo, Hakeem Valles

Out: Sean McGrath, Marcus Lewis

Change: None

Breakdown: Last week, I had Valles eking his way onto the roster. This week, he looked even better. He worked most days with the first team, and even caught a couple touchdown passes during the second joint practice with the Giants. He caught just two passes for 5 yards in the actual game, and is still riding that roster bubble hard. But the fall of Michael Roberts could require an extra guy who can run routes and catch passes, and he's the best alternative this roster offers.

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Offensive line (9)

In: Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, T.J. Lang, Rick Wagner, Corey Robinson, Tyrell Crosby, Joe Dahl, Kenny Wiggins

Out: Brian Mihalik, Wesley Johnson, Dan Skipper, Jamar McGloster, Leo Koloamatangi, John Montelus

Change: Wiggins in

Breakdown: Injuries happen. Just ask the Lions, who started 10 different offensive line combinations last year and had their top unit on the field for just 95 plays. Now you've got T.J. Lang battling injuries at right guard, and there was a scare with Graham Glasgow at center last week. So anyway, I've reconsidered my decision to carry just one interior reserve on the initial projection. Especially when that one reserve was Joe Dahl, who has struggled. Kenny Wiggins squeaks in here based on his start for Lang, but man he wasn't great either. He was victimized for one sack, missed a block on a fourth-and-short and got destroyed on a toss.

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Defensive line (9)

In: Ziggy Ansah, A'Shawn Robinson, Sylvester Williams, Anthony Zettel, Kerry Hyder, Da'Shawn Hand, Cornelius Washington, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Ricky Jean Francois

Out: Alex Barrett, Jeremiah Valoaga, Josh Fatu, Toby Johnson, Christian Ringo, JoJo Wicker, Cam Johnson

Change: None

Breakdown: These guys were a bit better against the Giants. After getting shut out in QB hits in the opener, both Anthony Zettel and Ricky Jean Francois teed off on New York quarterbacks. Francois has practiced well, and even supplanted A'Shawn Robinson in the lineup, as he's done a few times in practice. Given Robinson's slide, RJF might be closer to winning a starting job than the roster bubble at this point.

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Linebacker (7)

In: Jarrad Davis, Devon Kennard, Christian Jones, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Jonathan Freeny, Freddie Bishop, Miles Killebrew

Out:,Darnell Sankey, Trevor Bates, Chad Meredith, Steve Longa

Change: Longa out, Killebrew in

Breakdown: Longa is done for a while, and likely the season, after suffering a non-contact injury against the Giants. That loss won't be felt much on defense, but it will on special teams, where he was excellent. That could pave the way for Killebrew onto the roster after all. Like Longa, I wouldn't expect him to factor significantly into the mix at linebacker. But he did play 277 special teams snaps last year, which was fifth most on the team (and just behind Longa).

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Defensive back (10)

In: Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, Quandre Diggs, DeShawn Shead, Teez Tabor, Jamal Agnew, Tracy Walker, Charles Washington

Out: Antwuan Davis, Mike Ford, Chris Jones, Rolan Milligan, Josh Okonye, Stefan McClure

Change: None

Breakdown: The outlook here seems pretty straight forward. Darius Slay will start at cornerback, while Nevin Lawson and DeShawn Shead will battle it out on the other side, probably throughout the season. Teez Tabor could be in that mix, but he's faded recently in practice. Quandre Diggs will play a lot in the slot, but some at safety. And when he's back at safety, Jamal Agnew is the best bet to replace him in the slot. At safety, Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson are the regulars with Diggs mixed in based on matchups. And Charles Washington continues to look good because of what he can do on special teams, where he looks like an excellent gunner.

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

Specialists (3)

In: Matt Prater, Sam Martin, Don Muhlbach

Out: Ryan Santoso

Change: None

Breakdown: Death. Taxes. Don Freaking Muhlbach.