
Lions’ depth and defense fuel a 17-13 preseason win over the Commanders
Detroit Lions beat the Washington Commanders 17-13 in the 2026 preseason, leaning on a stifling defensive performance that limited Washington to 35 rushing yards and nine first downs on 45 plays, while piling up 26 defensive stops. Rookie and depth players stood out: Tate Ratledge flashed with a perfect 100.0 pass-blocking efficiency and strong run-blocking; Jackson Meeks continued his breakout at tight end with 2.75 yards per route run on two targets, leading to five receptions for 50 yards; Jacob Saylors led the backfield with 14 carries for 87 yards (5.3 ypc) and added 28 receiving yards. On offense, Joshua Dobbs struggled under pressure (0-4 on five pressured attempts, 20.9 PFF pass grade under duress) whereas Luke Altmyer showed better efficiency. Notable contributors and depth players helped carry the win even though starters like Hutchinson, McNeill, and Campbell did not play.








