The Detroit Lions begin their 2026 preseason slate on Thursday night with a date at Paycor Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals.
While the Lions won’t play quarterback Jared Goff and a number of their other key starters in their preseason opener, the Bengals are expected to play Joe Burrow at least a handful of snaps.
As kickoff approaches, follow along here for live updates of the action and highlights:
Lions rookie Keith Abney recovers a fumble for the Lions’ first takeaway
Lions gamble on fourth down and come up empty
Dan Campbell and first-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing roll the dice on a 4th-and-3 snap from the Bengals’ 29-yard-line and come up empty.
Altmyer’s fourth-down pass to TeSlaa is broken up by Bengals corner DJ Ivey.
Bengals strike first with 56-yard Evan McPherson field goal
Cincinnati is on the board first. Evan McPherson boots through a 56-yarder with distance to spare in the rain.
Good job by Detroit’s defense to force the field goal try, though. After a pair of Bengals first downs with Burrow directing his second drive of the night, the Lions’ defense stiffens.
Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske delivered the game’s biggest hit so far, smacking Bengals running back Chase Brown on a TFL. Then, Detroit EDGE Eric O’Neill pressured Burrow to force a third-down incompletion.
Penalty dooms Lions’ second drive
After a 2-yard pickup from Saylors on the ground, an ineligible man downfield penalty backed Detroit up into a 2nd-and-13.
Altmyer’s second down pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Bengals defensive tackle T.J. Slaton Jr. Then, Altmyer’s third-down pass was wide of the mark down the sideline to TeSlaa with a pair of Bengals defensive backs keeping a close watch.
Cincinnati takes over after the media timeout with 8:05 left to play in the game’s opening quarter from their own 30-yard-line.
Lions’ defense responds with Ahmed Hassenein sack, forces a punt
After a 16-yard connection from Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Lions EDGE Ahmed Hassanein sacked Burrow on the next set of downs to back the Bengals up and force a punt.
Hassanein has been one of the Lions’ training camp standouts defensively. Fantastic to see that show up early on game day in the Lions’ preseason.
The Lions have the football back for their second drive with 9:20 left to play in the first quarter.
Lions’ first offensive drive ends with a Bengals interception
The Lions lost the coin toss, Cincinnati deferred and Detroit and quarterback Luke Altmyer got the football first.
A promising opening drive is spoiled by an Isaac TeSlaa drop on a slant that winds up in a Jordan Battle interception.
Altmyer converted an initial third down with a checkdown to running back Jacob Saylors. Then, Altmyer had a nice throw and catch over the top to Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Isaac TeSlaa among notable Lions that are suited up
Per Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman, here’s some of the Lions’ notables that are suiting up for Detroit’s first preseason contest:
First look at Blake Miller, other rookies on a Lions game day
The Lions have Honolulu blue jerseys with silver pants for its preseason opener. Blake Miller, an offensive tackle out of Clemson, and Skyler Gill-Howard, a defensive tackle out of Texas Tech, are among the Lions rookies suiting up in Detroit’s preseason opener.
Luke Altmyer, Joshua Dobbs warming up in Cincinnati
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said earlier this week that rookie undrafted quarterback Luke Altmyer will see a heavy workload.
“Certainly (Luke) Altmyer is going to take a heavy load and then anybody else we get, we’ll get them up to speed as fast as we can and give them some reps,” Campbell said.
Recently signed veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs should see some reps, too.
How to watch Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals in NFL preseason
Fans can watch the Lions’ preseason opener locally on Fox 2 Detroit. Play-by-play announcer Jack Kizer will be joined by color analyst T.J. Lang and sideline reporter Patti Cesarini.
Out-of-market fans can still watch the Lions vs. Bengals via an NFL+ subscription. An NFL+ subscription allows fans to watch out-of-market preseason games on their TV, PC, phone and tablets for $6.99 for a montly subscription and $39.99 for an annual subscription.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions vs. Bengals: Updates, highlights from NFL preseason game
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Josh Helmer, Lions Wire | USA TODAY Network
