According to Pride of Detroit and Yahoo Sports, the Detroit Lions will travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals on Thursday night in their 2026 preseason opener. With head coach Dan Campbell planning to rest many of his starters, a fierce roster battle is underway as fringe players, undrafted rookies, and depth pieces compete to secure their spots on the 53-man roster.
Quarterback Battle: Luke Altmyer Seeks the QB2 Role
Following the sudden retirement of veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater, undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer finds himself in prime position to challenge for the primary backup quarterback role, according to Pride of Detroit reporting. Though the Lions added veteran Josh Dobbs this week for immediate depth, Altmyer is expected to handle the majority of snaps against the Bengals.
Altmyer earned the team’s attention as an undrafted free agent due to his background in a comparable pro-style system. Detroit Lions Podcast analyst Jeff Risdon notes that Altmyer has shown promising moments in training camp, though consistency with timing and layered intermediate throws remains a primary focal point during his development.
Pro Tip: Watch how quickly Altmyer gets the ball out of his hands under live pass-rush pressure against Cincinnati’s defense, as timing is everything in the Detroit offensive scheme.
Running Back Depth: Jacob Saylors and Kye Robichaux Chase Roster Spots
Jahmyr Gibbs enters the year as the clear starter, with Isiah Pacheco backing him up and Sione Vaki securing a core role on special teams, as detailed by Pride of Detroit. However, because Gibbs, Pacheco, Vaki, and Jabari Small are either resting or managing injuries, the backfield door swings wide open for reserve runners.
Jacob Saylors is competing directly with Small to capture a potential fourth running back spot on the roster. Meanwhile, Detroit Lions Podcast points out that Kye Robichaux brings a physical, downhill running style that could exploit a Bengals defensive front that struggled heavily against the run last season, yielding 5.2 yards per carry.
Wide Receiver and Tight End Battles: Tay Martin and Jackson Meeks Stand Out
Head coach Dan Campbell described the current wide receiver room as the deepest of his tenure in Detroit. With Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Greg Dortch locking down the top four slots, a crowd of pass-catchers is fighting for the final reserve spots.
According to Detroit Lions Podcast and Pride of Detroit, veteran Tay Martin has earned unprompted praise from Campbell for his exceptional contributions on special teams and his dominance in one-on-one camp drills. He competes alongside veterans Cedrick Wilson and Malik Cunningham for remaining depth receiver roles.
At tight end, Jackson Meeks transitioned from wide receiver to tight end midway through last season. With rookie Miles Kitselman landing on injured reserve, Meeks has an increased opportunity to secure a TE4 spot if he demonstrates reliable blocking and separation skills in preseason action.
Trenches and Defense: Seth McLaughlin and Erick Hunter Look to Impress
Center Seth McLaughlin is projected to start Thursday’s contest. With starting center Cade Mays missing the beginning of the regular season and Juice Scruggs nursing a soft tissue injury, McLaughlin has taken first-team practice reps and aims to lock down a permanent backup or starting consideration, per Pride of Detroit.
On the defensive side, undrafted rookie Erick Hunter has capitalized on extra repetitions due to injuries to linebackers Malcolm Rodriguez and Damone Clark. Having already established himself as a dynamic special teams contributor, Hunter is expected to see early playing time against the Bengals.
Did you know? While the Lions are resting many of their primary starters, the Cincinnati Bengals are expected to play most of their first-string players—including quarterback Joe Burrow—giving Detroit’s younger roster hopefuls a genuine test against starting-caliber NFL talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Detroit Lions play the Cincinnati Bengals?
The Lions play the Bengals on Thursday night in Cincinnati for the opening game of the 2026 NFL preseason, according to Pride of Detroit.
Will Jared Goff play in the preseason opener?
No. According to Detroit Lions Podcast, head coach Dan Campbell plans to rest Jared Goff, Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, and most veteran starters.
Who is replacing Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback?
Following Teddy Bridgewater’s retirement, the Lions signed veteran Josh Dobbs for depth, while undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer is expected to receive the majority of snaps against Cincinnati.
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