The Detroit Lions will travel to Cincinnati on Thursday night to take on the Bengals in both teams’ first game of the 2026 preseason, and we have produced a few articles to help fans prep for the contest, including How to Watch the game, 90-man roster listings by number/name, and an updated look at the Depth Chart.
Over the past two weeks, the Lions have held 11 training camp practices, and Pride of Detroit has been in attendance for all of them, credentialing as many as three writers on certain days. Through those observations, we have written a litany of articles, updating fans on the team’s progress.
Coach Dan Campbell said that they plan to rest many of their starters in this game, but several players will be looking to solidify their spots on the roster, while others are looking to prove they belong on an NFL roster. Here’s a look at 10 players who can improve their stock in this game.
QB Luke Altmyer
Following the sudden retirement of backup Teddy Bridgewater, Altmyer finds himself in a terrific position to challenge for the QB2 role. The Lions did sign veteran QB Josh Dobbs this week for depth, but Altmyer is expected to get the majority of reps in this game, giving him a massive advantage in the competition. Altmyer was targeted by the Lions as an undrafted free agent because of his experience and stylistic fit in a similar pro-style system—and he has played with confidence in training camp. While the Lions have historically leaned on a veteran, like Dobbs, for their backup role, Altmyer could force them to change their strategy if he performs well in the preseason.
RB Jacob Saylors
The Lions appear comfortable with their first three options at running back, with Jahmyr Gibbs the starter, Isiah Pacheco the backup, and Sione Vaki a staple on special teams. But the Lions have rostered four running backs in recent years, setting up a battle between last year’s RB4 Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small; a competition Campbell has said is very close. With Gibbs unlikely to play in this preseason game, along with Pacheco, Vaki, and Small nursing injuries, this could be a big opportunity for Saylors to separate himself amongst the reserve competition.
WR Tay Martin
With the top four receivers—Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Greg Dortch—presumably locked in, the Lions have a wide-open competition for the remaining WR5 and WR6 (if they keep a sixth) roles on the roster. Campbell has called the receiver room the deepest he’s ever had during his tenure in Detroit and believes anyone could win the remaining role(s). With the last spots on the roster likely coming down to special teams contributions, it’s worth noting that Campbell has brought up Tay Martin as one of the best contributors in this area. If he can show well on offense and continue to ascend on special teams, he’ll have a chance to be a sleeper for a remaining roster spot.
TE Jackson Meeks
Jackson Meeks quietly converted from WR-X to tight end in the middle of last season and has risen up the depth chart this offseason, partially due to the injury bug hitting the tight end room. While a bit undersized for the position, he brings a unique ability to separate as a receiving tight end and has been in competition for a TE4 role all camp. With rookie Miles Kitselman now on injured reserve, Meeks’ path to the roster is a bit easier, and with a good performance in the preseason, he will have a chance to hold off Thomas Gordon and prove to coaches that they should keep a fourth tight end on the 53-man roster.
C Seth McLaughlin
With starting center Cade Mays expected to miss the beginning of the season, and presumed replacement Juice Scruggs nursing a soft tissue injury, the Lions have promoted McLaughlin to the starting lineup in practices, and he is expected to start this game. This is a big opportunity for the second-year offensive lineman, who suddenly finds himself not only staring at a potential backup role on the 53-man roster, but also being given a chance to compete with Scruggs for a starting role for Week 1 of the regular season.
DL Skyler Gill-Howard
Gill-Howard has a terrific backstory, making him an easy rookie to root for, but he had a slow start to camp as he was learning to trust himself again after finishing his final collegiate season injured. Over the past week, Gill-Howard has begun to seize the opportunities in front of him and has been working higher up the depth chart, playing in multiple spots along the defensive line. With Mekhi Wingo returning from injury and potentially not playing in this game, Gill-Howard should have a fantastic opportunity to get on the field early in this game and continue his ascent.
EDGE Ahmed Hassanein
One of the great feel-good stories of camp has been Hassanein returning to full health and switching from “Rush End” to Big End.” After missing all of his rookie season due to injury and changing positions, Hassanein has come into camp stronger and more explosive than ever. A fireball of energy, Hassanein hasn’t played in a game in almost a year, and if he can corral his emotions, he’ll have a great chance to solidify his spot on the roster with a solid performance.
LB Erick Hunter
A UDFA rookie fan favorite, Erick Hunter has taken advantage of reps higher up the depth chart due to injuries to Malcolm Rodriguez and Damone Clark. Already a dynamic special teamer, Hunter should see the field early in this game, likely once veteran Devin White exits, and if he can perform as he did in the Lions’ inter-scrimmage, he can prove that he deserves to be in the conversation for a LB6 role.
CB Ennis Rakestraw
Ennis Rakestraw opened camp in competition for a starting role with Rock Ya-Sin, but in the past two weeks, he’s seen Ya-Sin lock down the role, and Nick Whiteside pass him on the depth chart. While others around him have been taking developmental steps, Rakestraw has been slow to progress. Some of that could be because the Lions have shuffled him between outside corner and nickelback, but he needs to get back on track and take some positive steps before he falls further behind. There may not be a player on the roster who needs a big game more than Rakestraw.
CB Roger McCreary
Similar to Rakestraw, McCreary opened camp as the Lions’ starting nickel, but he has been slow to develop and has been passed on the depth chart by players like Christian Izien at nickel and Khalil Dorsey on the outside. If the Lions elect to keep just six corners on their roster, McCreary could be fighting for a spot on the roster and will need a good performance against the Bengals in order to stay in the cornerback conversation.