Overview
- Detroit coach Dan Campbell said he plans to play a significant number of starters in the preseason contest at Ford Field, though quarterback Jared Goff will not play.
- With Goff out, the Lions are expected to give primary reps to veteran Joshua Dobbs so he can stake a claim as the main Week 1 backup.
- Washington coach Dan Quinn kept Jayden Daniels’ status uncertain but reports suggested Daniels would likely play at least briefly, making this a short but telling audition for starters.
- Several Commanders are on the roster bubble and must use this game and a joint practice with the Ravens to improve their chances; bubble names include Athan Kaliakmanis, Robert Henry Jr., Matt Gulbin, Julian Good-Jones, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Kain Medrano and Will Harris.
- The Lions’ switch to more starter snaps follows a quieter opener and reflects a wider NFL trend of balancing injury risk with the need for live reps to settle backup pecking orders and final cuts.