Dan Campbell: Isaac TeSlaa may be ready to help Lions early in season

Richard Silva, The Detroit News on Aug 23, 2025

Published in Football

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DETROIT — Another preseason game, another receiving touchdown for Isaac TeSlaa.

The rookie, after scoring in each of the Detroit Lions' two previous exhibitions, recorded a 33-yard touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday's 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans at Ford Field. TeSlaa had one-on-one coverage with cornerback D'Angelo Ross, and quarterback Kyle Allen didn't hesitate on first down, launching the deep ball down the right sideline.

TeSlaa hauled it in right as he was crossing the goal line.

"It was a very detailed route," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said postgame. "That tells you that he’s taking the coaching, and he’s growing."

TeSlaa, who moved the chains with a well-executed slant pattern on third down three plays prior to his touchdown, finished the preseason with 10 catches (13 targets) for 146 yards and three touchdowns. He's shown the ability to do a bit of everything through four exhibitions, routinely showcasing his contested-catch ability and knack for explosive plays on crossing routes.

With every play he makes, he's gaining the trust of not only the coaching staff, Campbell said, but also his teammates. All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said earlier this month TeSlaa's tenacity as a run blocker has led to the former Hillsdale College and Arkansas standout receiving respect from the position's veterans.

"That’s my ultimate goal," TeSlaa said Saturday, when asked about earning that belief from his teammates and coaches. "Obviously, as a rookie, (I'm) still trying to find my role on this team. Just to be able to build that trust from the coaching staff and the offense as a whole, the play-callers, and then, ultimately, my teammates, I think is a super big thing for me as a rookie."

TeSlaa said he's still refining the "small details" it takes to play receiver on the outside. He spent most of his time in the slot while at Arkansas, but his measurables (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) certainly fit the profile of someone who can win near the boundary.

There's still growth to be had, Campbell made clear. But considering how rapidly he's developed since arriving for training camp last month, the coach is hopeful TeSlaa will be ready to help during the regular season, sooner rather than later.

"He’s going to continue to get better and better," Campbell said of TeSlaa. "I’m very pleased. We’re very pleased with where he’s at after six weeks of camp because that’s really what it’s been. We just finished six weeks, so I’d say, if you took most receivers, he’d be in the upper echelon of those, as far as development. It’s pretty good. It’s not easy to develop as a receiver in this league and be ready to go.

"I think there’s a place for him to help us early in this season."

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