The Detroit Lions open the preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Paycor Stadium.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said he plans to hold most of his starters out of the game, while the Bengals will play Joe Burrow and most of their starters.
“It’ll be a great look for our guys,” Campbell said. “How do they compete? Do they use what they’ve been taught? Just, you want to see the development, you’re excited for some of these young guys. And then some of these rookies, young players, to have a chance to see where they’ve grown. Do they take what you’re teaching them to the field? And then some of these veteran guys that are playing for a spot, to watch them go out and compete.”
Here are seven players I’ll be watching Thursday. Most are competing for back-end roster spots, while several are young players whose growth could help chart the course for the team:
OT Blake Miller
Miller could be the only starting lineman who plays Thursday, but the rookie first-round pick needs as much work as possible to get ready for the regular season. Miller’s had an up and down camp, and while he’ll be tested by the Bengals’ young edge rushers, he won’t see anyone close to as good as Aidan Hutchinson, the player he lines up across from regularly in practice.
C Seth McLaughlin
Cade Mays will miss the start of the regular season. Juice Scruggs is nursing a soft-tissue injury. McLaughlin has taken every first-team rep at center the past two days, and he’s the Lions’ de factor starter at the position until further notice. McLaughlin spent last preseason with the Bengals but said there’s no special feeling returning to place he started his NFL career. He’s less than two years removed from a torn Achilles tendon, and like Miller he needs a ton of work just in case he’s called on this fall.
QB Luke Altmyer
Campbell said Altmyer will get “a heavy load” of work this week with Jared Goff not expected to play and Josh Dobbs still getting up to speed in the offense a few days after signing. An undrafted rookie out of Illinois, Altmyer has moved the second-team offense well at times in camp, but he’s struggled with some facets of game management. He’s a long shot to make the roster, but he could be fun to watch with his dual-threat ability.
TE Jackson Meeks
Meeks has impressed in his first full season at tight end after converting from receiver late last year. He’s probably the Lions’ fourth tight end for now, behind Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright and Tyler Conklin, but he could work his way off the roster bubble with a strong showing in preseason games. Last summer, he led the Lions with 11 catches and 176 yards receiving in exhibition play.
DE Ahmed Hassanein
Hassanein has been one of the more pleasant surprises of camp. He’s a relentless player who irritates his opponents with his high motor and non-stop trash talking, but he plays with a genuine enthusiasm that’s endeared him to Lions coaches. Campbell said Hassanein “gets out of his mind and goes a little rogue on some stuff,” so he’ll need to be more disciplined to see the field this fall. I’ll be interested to watch not just how he handles his new role at the big end position, but also where he is in the rotation and whether he’s still on the field at the end of the game.
LB Erick Hunter
An undrafted rookie out of Morgan State, Hunter has opened eyes this summer with his coverage ability and play on special teams. He’s raw on defense and has a handful of seasoned vets in front of him on the linebacker depth chart. But he should get a long look in the second half, and if practice is any indication, he should fly around the field and make some plays.
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Rakestraw is vying for a backup role in the Lions’ thin secondary after injuries derailed his first two NFL seasons. He’s played outside and in the slot this summer, and he appears to have some catching up to do if he wants to crack the cornerback rotation. I’m not sure if we’ll see Rakestraw against the Bengals’ top receivers, but with D.J. Reed (and potentially Khalil Dorsey) out due to injury, he should get plenty of playing time.
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: Why we’re watching these 7 players in Lions-Bengals preseason opener
Reporting by Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
