Which Detroit Lions need the most preseason reps?

Welcome to Detroit Lions gameday for the first time in the 2026 season preseason! The path to the Super Bowl begins now, and while most Lions starters are not expected to play Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, it is still an important step for the franchise. Some young players will play and get valuable experience, while other reserves who will undoubtedly play a role during the regular season will also look to hone their craft against a Bengals team that IS expected to play their starters.

So while fans may not be as excited about a preseason game, it is an important night for the team. It is also a very important night for a ton of players on the 90-man roster. For now, let’s talk about the players who need this game the most.

Today’s Question of the Day is:

Which Detroit Lions player need the most playing time during the 2026 preseason?

My answer: Well, if we’re talking about potential starters, coach Dan Campbell may have answered this question on his own. He’s already revealed that first-round pick Blake Miller will play on Thursday night despite the fact that the rest of the starters won’t. Miller has exclusively repped with the first-team offense in training camp, so there’s little doubt he has “won” the starting job. However, Campbell’s strategy suggests they believe he still needs to get up to speed for them to have comfort in his abilities for Week 1.

“It’s a work in progress,” Campbell said. “And I think a lot of it right now is the pass protection. I like the run game, but it’s really – it’s the whole game. But listen, he’s in a good spot. And we are going to douse him with reps. We are going to find a way and he will find a way to be the guy.”

Beyond Miller, there are a few key players who need to be all over the field this preseason.

Primarily, I think this is drastically important for Ennis Rakestraw. He’s starting to slide down the depth chart, but the Lions still believe in his overall ability. Unfortunately for the Lions’ 2024 second-round pick, he simply has not had much playing time both in training camp and in the season due to injury. So these next three exhibition games are critical to his development, and I’m hoping he gets at least a full half in each game.

Finally, there’s fifth-round rookie Keith Abney. He’s been a bit quiet in training camp, with a lot of up-and-down play as he adjusts to the nickel position. I believe he could truly be the starter at that position in 2027, but he needs to log reps as he continues to learn the nuances of nickel cornerback play. He’s another one I hope plays at least a half per game, even though I do not expect him to win the nickel job at any point in 2026.

Which Detroit Lions do you hope they douse with reps during the preseason? Share your answers in the comment section below by signing up for a free account!