The Detroit Lions get one last preseason test Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, and for a few players, it’s the final stage to push for a spot on the initial 2026 53-man roster.
The finale against the Indianapolis Colts kicks off at 1 p.m. EST at Lucas Oil Stadium, with local coverage on Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK), Fox 17 West Michigan (WXMI), Fox 36 Toledo, and Fox 47 Lansing (WSYM).
Jason Benetti, T.J. Lang and Patti Cesarini are on the TV call.
On the radio side, fans can tune in to 97.1 The Ticket or the listed radio affiliates, with Dan Miller and Lomas Brown handling the broadcast. The game will also air live on NFL Network for viewers outside the local market.
This summer, Dan Campbell made a few clear changes to the way the Lions worked in camp, dialing up the practice intensity and adjusting the schedule while also choosing not to hold joint practices. With the roster already stacked with talent, Campbell said he wanted the daily work to center on competition inside the building, especially defense against offense.
He also made it clear that this year’s approach doesn’t lock the team into that model forever.
"Oh no, listen, and that's what somebody asked me yesterday, I want to be careful. This is not a, 'Okay, well I'm done with those.'
This is right for this year," said Detroit. "This felt right and I'm glad we did it and it was just what the doctor ordered.
It doesn't mean that we won't go back to joints next year. I mean, we could.
If I find the right partner and it just makes sense, man, well, I'm open to that. I just know right now this is what we needed.
This was good.”
Now the attention shifts to the final tune-up before the regular season. Campbell said there are still jobs open and spots on the depth chart that could change, and the Colts game will give those players a chance to show what they can do.
"The Indy game will be big," Campbell said. "There are still spots available, jobs available.
And really for even a lot of these guys, man, we want to give a lot of exposure to some of these guys to give them the best opportunity to put their best stuff on tape, whether it's here or for another team. They've earned that.
And so, they're going to get a lot of reps, a lot of snaps, and it'll be good exposure for them.”
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