CINCINNATI – Luke Altmyer’s preseason debut was a learning experience.
Altmyer, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, played most of the game at quarterback four days after Teddy Bridgewater retired as the Detroit Lions lost their exhibition opener, 16-14, to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Paycor Stadium.
Altmyer finished 13 of 22 passing for 130 yards and led the Lions on their only touchdown drive, throwing a 24-yard pass to Tarik Black with 1:28 to play. He also ran for a two-point conversion on a read-option.
But Altmyer threw an interception that bounced off Isaac TeSlaa’s helmet early in the game, lost a fumble on a handoff to Jacob Saylors and threw a second pick in the game’s final minutes on a heave downfield.
Altmyer played all but three series at quarterback as the Lions rested most of their starters on both sides of the ball, including Jared Goff. Veteran Josh Dobbs, whom the Lions signed to replace Bridgewater as their backup, was 4-for-8 passing for 32 yards.
Joe Burrow played two series for the Bengals and led one field goal drive. Joe Flacco led the Bengals’ only touchdown drive, throwing a 4-yard pass to Jack Endries early in the second quarter.
Player of the game
Jacob Saylors took a big step toward locking up a roster spot with a strong game Thursday.
Saylors led the Lions in rushing and receiving in the first half. He had eight carries for 55 yards, three catches for 28 yards, and runs of 27 and 9 yards in the second quarter to set up both Lions field goals.
A special teams contributor last year who earned a roster spot after a stint in the UFL, Saylors has had a strong camp while working often with the first-team offense while Jahmyr Gibbs missed practice time in a contract dispute and Isiah Pacheco (knee) and Sione Vaki (nose) battled injury. Jabari Small, the back he appears to be competing with the No. 4 running back job, did not play Thursday after he came hobbling during practice with what appeared to be a knee injury.
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DE Ahmed Hassanein
One of the most pleasant surprises of Lions camp, Hassanein had two sacks Thursday. He dropped Joe Burrow for a 9-yard loss on the Bengals’ fourth offensive play and had another sack on a third-and-5 play in the second half when he swatted the ball out of Josh Johnson’s hands.
The Lions got good production from several of their young pass-rushers Thursday. Eric O’Neill had a blindside hit on Burrow to force an incompletion, and Skyler Gill-Howard had two quarterback hits in the first half. But a year after Hassanein’s preseason was cut short by a pectoral injury, the second-year defensive end is making the most of his time on the field now.
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CB Ennis Rakestraw
Let’s give Rakestraw credit first. He made a team-high five tackles in the first half and had a nice pass breakup when he popped a ball out of Colbe Young’s hands. But the Bengals picked on Rakestraw early, throwing at him three times in a four-play span to start the second quarter. Rakestraw also left the game injured after he made a tackle on a run play. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Rakestraw was in concussion protocol, but he’s missed most of his first two seasons with injury and can’t afford to miss another chunk of camp now.
WR Isaac TeSlaa
TeSlaa probably isn’t in any danger of losing the No. 3 receiver job, but his choppy summer continued with a rough first half Thursday. He didn’t catch any of the three passes thrown his way, had a ball bounce off his helmet for an interception and couldn’t hold on to a fourth-and-3 catch in tight coverage. The Lions’ third-round pick last spring, TeSlaa hasn’t delivered any of the highlight plays this summer we grew accustomed to seeing last year.
Next up
The Lions host the Washington Commanders in Week 2 of the preseason at noon next Saturday, Aug. 22. Lions coach Dan Campbell said he might play some of his starters next week. The Lions don’t have any joint practices on the schedule, so that could be the only live reps Goff, Gibbs, Aidan Hutchinson and Co. get against a different opponent before the season.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ennis Rakestraw, Isaac TeSlaa struggle in Lions’ preseason loss to Bengals
Reporting by Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
