All articles tagged with #lions
Bears, Lions, Packers and Vikings revealed new Rivalries uniforms under Nike’s NFL Rivalries program, debuting in home games against division rivals this season; the looks join each team’s alternate lineup for the next three years, with potential for more teams to join in 2027–2028.
Detroit’s roster bubble is reshaping as Dobbs drops in QB votes while Luke Altmyer rises, with the staff unlikely to carry three quarterbacks. At running back, Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors look like the top RB4 options, while Trayveon Williams and Tray… Small’s concussion hurts his chances. At wide receiver, Cedrick Wilson Jr. drops after a knee injury and Tay Martin gains momentum as a primary reserve. Tight end watch tightens around Jackson Meeks, who jumped to TE4 after a standout preseason and could earn a roster spot thanks to special-teams value. In the trenches, Juice Scruggs appears near-lock at center with Cade Mays out; Bartch is in concussion protocol, McLaughlin’s spot is in flux, and Devin Cochran’s return could add needed depth to the interior line.
Detroit’s preseason against Washington produced clearer depth signals: Dobbs started at QB with Altmyer rotating in behind him; Williams, Saylors, and Blackshear headline the RB group, while Jabari Small’s concussion may hurt his bid for a spot. Tay Martin appears the leading WR5 candidate after starting and contributing on special teams, whereas Dominic Lovett’s reduced role hurts his case. Meeks emerged as the top TE4 option behind LaPorta/Wright/Conklin. Miles Frazier’s versatility adds depth on the line, while Moore and Wingo flashed on defense. The LB battle between Devin White and Malcolm Rodriguez remains unresolved; Reed played most of the first half at corner, with Abney stepping up at nickel and Harper/Branch/Joseph sidelined by injury. Special teams produced a notable moment with Meeks’ forced fumble. Overall, the snap counts highlight where Detroit might shape the 53-man roster and practice squad, notably at WR, RB4/TE4, and defensive depth.”,
Detroit’s defense flashed a strengthening pass rush in a 17-13 preseason win over the Washington Commanders at Ford Field, tallying two sacks (one negated by a penalty), a forced fumble, and not allowing an offensive touchdown, suggesting the unit may be turning a previous weakness into a strength.
Detroit Lions beat the Washington Commanders 17-13 in a 2026 preseason game that underscored the team’s new edge depth (DJ Wonnum and rookie Derrick Moore), showcased ongoing RB3 competition among Jacob Saylors, Trayveon Williams and Raheem Blackshear, and highlighted WR5/WR6 questions with Cedrick Wilson Jr. out and Tay Martin, Dominic Lovett, Lucky Jackson, and Tom Kennedy rotating. The defense continued to supply pressure and solid play (Devin White, D.J. Reed, Ennis Rakestraw), while the offensive line—without Sewell—showed growth but still allowed multiple sacks from backups. Heading into the regular season, roster battles and depth remain key storylines.
This is a live-updating recap of the Lions vs. Commanders 2026 preseason game at Ford Field. With Lions resting Jared Goff, Josh Dobbs starts and endures a rough opening drive—sacked for a strip TD by Amik Robertson and later intercepted by Quan Martin—before answering with a 50-yard rushing score. Washington fielded Sam Hartman, and Detroit’s Luke Altmyer takes over in the second quarter, moving the ball on a series of short completions as rosters are evaluated for the upcoming 53-man cuts. The post promises in-game highlights, injury updates, and a full recap after the game, along with depth-chart updates and players to watch heading into the next preseason matchup.
New Orleans could open Week 1 in Detroit without two key offensive weapons: rookie Jordyn Tyson is out about two months with a hamstring injury, and All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara will miss at least the next month with a sprained MCL, forcing coach Kellen Moore to lean on Travis Etienne as the lead back while Olave and Vele anchor a reworked receiving corps after Tyson’s absence.
Derrick Moore returned from a groin injury and immediately flashed in third-down packages, including sacks and disruptive bursts; TeSlaa and Ennis Rakestraw are turning a corner with improved showings; Hutchinson remained a constant threat but was briefly knocked down by a hard block in a drill; the session ended with several end-of-game situational drills that highlighted progress and lingering questions about depth and timing as Lions contend with injuries to Kendrick Law and Jimmy Rolder.
After Detroit’s preseason loss to Cincinnati, this piece lays out a detailed 53-man roster projection with position-by-position locks, key battles (notably QB Dobbs vs. Altmyer, and a crowded WR/CB group), plus injury and roster mechanics (IR, PUP, practice squad) that could shift two more times in the next two games.
Detroit's rain-soaked preseason opener against Cincinnati yielded a standout pass rush from Ahmed Hassanein (16.7 productive rating with 5 pressures, 2 sacks and a forced fumble), solid run-defense grades from Roger McCreary and Keith Abney, a strong yards-after-contact performance from Jacob Saylors, and a tough outing for Ennis Rakestraw in coverage, underscoring Lions' depth and some early roster questions.
The Detroit Lions’ preseason opener exposed concerns for five players’ roster chances: Michael Niese’s errant center snaps, Dominic Lovett’s drops and limited impact on special teams, Luke Altmyer’s mixed QB play in a battle with Joshua Dobbs, Miles Frazier’s three penalties and uneven line play, and Payton Turner needing to prove himself amid a crowded defensive line. Despite some solid showings from others, these performances may shift the depth-chart outlook as rosters tighten.
The Bengals beat the Lions 16-14 in their first preseason game, avoiding injuries to stars while showing a more conservative offense with Burrow under center and more check-downs, a defense that looks cohesive but still susceptible to big plays, and a QB roster battle that likely ends with Burrow and Flacco as the primary quarterbacks.
The Detroit Lions lost 16-14 to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 of the preseason, with a mix of starters playing and several roster battles on display. Jacob Saylors emerged as a potential RB3, rushing eight times for 55 yards with three catches, while Ahmed Hassanein returned healthy and finished with four tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. The offensive line struggled, highlighted by Mahogany’s two penalties amid a rotation of linemen. Isaac TeSlaa had a rough night, dropping a pass that led to a turnover and failing to haul in targets, raising questions about WR depth. Defensive injuries sidelined Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Mekhi Wingo, though the unit still forced four fumbles and recorded two sacks. Overall, the defense outperformed the offense, giving Detroit something to build on if the defense maintains that level as QB competition between Altmyer and Dobbs remains unsettled.
Detroit travels to Paycor Stadium for a preseason opener against Cincinnati, focusing on reserve players and roster battles as Lions likely rest most starters while the Bengals play theirs; kickoff is 7 p.m. ET, with a single live-thread discussion to share observations and follow the game.
Detroit observers note the Lions’ offensive line looked different without Cade Mays due to his injury, while Seth McLaughlin has been working back from a torn Achilles and, by last November, was nearing full strength, underscoring depth questions and potential lineup shifts as Mays returns.