The have officially cut their roster down to the initial group of 53 with the deadline pa sing on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m. ET.The key word in that sentence is "initial" because the Lions are likely to make more changes in the coming days and week-plus before the start of the season. Not only will the Lions be exploring their options in free agency, but waivers, also.Teams will have until noon ET on Wednesday to put in claims for players who they are interested in on waivers. The Lions sit in the , which is based on the standings from the 2023 season until Week 4.But for now, here's a look at the , and then we'll take a look at the biggest surprises from the initial group.Detroit Lions Jerami Grant Jersey 53-man rosterQuarterbacks: Jared Goff, Hendon HookerRunning backs: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione VakiWide receivers: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Isaiah WilliamsTight ends: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Parker He seOffensive tackles: Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Dan Skipper, Colby Sorsdal, Giovanni ManuGuards/Centers: Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler, Kayode Awosika, Michael NieseDefensive tackles: Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi WingoDefensive ends: Aidan Hutchison, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, James Mason Plumlee Jersey Houston, John CominskyLinebacker: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben NiemannCornerbacks: Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Khalil Dorsey, Kindle VildorSafeties: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, Loren StricklandSpecialists: Jack Fox, Jake Bates, Hogan HattenInjured Reserve (designated to return): DL Brodric MartinNFI list: G Christian MahoganyDetroit Lions 53-man roster surprisesNate Sudfeld gets cutIt was clear as day that Hendon Hooker was the Michael Porter Jersey backup option with far more upside, but after head coach Dan Campbell said that Sudfeld had the ahead of preseason Week 3, it looked like Sudfeld would likely beat Hooker out. Further, Sudfeld didn't play a single snap in the exhibition finale.However, the Lions decided to roll with Hooker and cut Sudfeld, who may end up back on the practice squad.Donovan Peoples-Jones gets cutThis is a tough one, because it's surprising and not surprising in the same breath. That's because the Lions are so thin at receiver, especially in terms of experience, yet Peoples-Jones during the entire offseason. Even if he made the cut, the Lions needed to make an addition to the position.A new long snapperScott Daly had proven to be a reliable long snapper over his three seasons with the team, so the fact that he lost out to rookie and undrafted free agent Hogan Hatten is at least moderately surprising.Isaac Ukwu cut looseUkwu was one of the bigger standouts in preseason play with one sack in each game and five total pre sures. He also on more than one occasion. He will almost certainly end Keita Bates-Diop Jersey up on the practice squad if he clears waivers on Wednesday.Kyle Peko releasedThis is not to say that Peko is some kind of game-changing player, but he did see run with the ones during the offseason when the Lions needed a body and by all accounts had a solid training camp. Perhaps they'll bring him back once they put John Cominsky on IR.Only 4 wide receiversAs if the Lions weren't thin enough at wide receiver, they're only carrying four on their initial 53-man roster. You would a sume the team would have at least carried one more and then replace that player once they added help from outside. General manager Brad Holmes has some work to do.Loren Strickland makes the cutStrickland did have a strong offseason, but he remains one of the bigger surprises to make the cut, especially when you consider he did it over C.J. Moore.Six linebackersThe only surprise at linebacker was Ben Niemann, who Facundo Campazzo Jersey we didn't hear a ton about during the offseason. Whatever the case may be, the veteran clearly earned his spot. That said, he might be one of the first to go when the Lions make moves.