Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa is having an eventful preseason. The Lions’ third-round pick entered Week 3 of the preseason having already caught a touchdown in the team’s first two games.
TeSlaa is listed behind Jameson Williams on the Lions depth chart, so he’s been getting plenty of chances to show what he can do. Entering the matchup against the Houston Texans, he had eight receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns with 13.1 YPC.
How Did Isaac TeSlaa Do Against the Texans’ Defense?
TeSlaa is played pretty well, actually. On the Lions’ second drive, he caught an eight-yard pass from Kyle Allen to convert a first down. Three plays later, he streaked down the right sideline and hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Allen to put the Lions up 7-3.
I have failed myself by not taking Isaac TeSlaa seriously enough.
TD vs press into an elite worm. He is him. pic.twitter.com/inJV8WsgXw
— Al Calo (@Calo_Football) August 23, 2025
After catching the touchdown, TeSlaa celebrated by doing a nice rendition of The Worm. TeSlaa has given himself plenty of reasons to celebrate in the preseason. He’s taken advantage of every opportunity and proved himself an effective downfield threat. He’s already scored as many touchdowns in the preseason as in 13 games with Arkansas in 2024.
The Lions brass has noticed his play, and it’s not just his ability to catch the ball that’s turned heads.
Lions GM Brad Holmes told Kay Adams, “He’s blocking, he’s training in the run game. I know when you hear blocking in the run game from a wide receiver, it’s like, ‘Well, you’ve got to catch the football,’ but that just shows a lot about the competitiveness and the desire of just a football player in general.”
Lions GM Brad Holmes says rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa fits Detroit because he embodies what the franchise is all about 💪@heykayadams | @Lions #OnePride | @TeslaaIsaac pic.twitter.com/zDXyDp4IFc
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 18, 2025
TeSlaa is making his case that he should be a part of this new offense. He’s been flashing good speed, has great hands, and has excellent body control. He has a nose for the ball, and while it’s still just the preseason, he’s setting himself up to be worked into the receiver rotation.
His contributions in the run game make coaches and talent evaluators swoon. Players like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua elevated their value on offense because they were willing to do the dirty work, and TeSlaa looks like he’s doing the same thing.
With the postseason concluding this week, teams must make their cuts to reduce their rosters to 53 men. The final cut-down day is Tuesday, August 26, at 4 p.m. ET. With the postseason concluding this week, teams must make their cuts to reduce their rosters to 53 men. The final cut-down day is Tuesday, August 26, at 4 p.m. ET.
At this rate, it’s safe to predict that TeSlaa will be one of the 53 players on the Lions’ roster.
