The Detroit Lions are heading into their second preseason game of 2026 against the Washington Commanders with a lot of roster battles still wide open, and for several players, Saturday at Ford Field could carry real weight.
After a productive Week 1 preseason outing that still ended in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Lions are back in action for their only preseason game at home this year. That puts a spotlight on players trying to carve out a role, and in this week’s episode of “Before the Roar,” the focus lands on who has the most to gain - and who needs a strong showing just to stay in the conversation.
At the top of the list is center Seth McLaughlin. With starting center Cade Mays expected to miss between 8-10 weeks, the battle at center has become one of the most important competitions on the roster.
The question now is simple: Can McLaughlin do enough to unseat Juice Scruggs? That matchup is the one to watch most closely.
There are other names worth tracking, too. Running back Sione Vaki and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez are among the players who still need to show more as the preseason continues.
On the flip side, the pressure is on for players who are running out of room to make a case. Defensive lineman Mehki Wingo has work to do in a defensive line group that keeps getting more crowded, while quarterback Luke Altmyer appears to be facing a steep path to the final 53-man roster.
In Other News...
Lions Secondary Question Just Got More Complicated With Joey Porter Jr
Detroits secondary already had enough questions attached to it before Joey Porter Jr. entered the conversation. The Lions are dealing with injuries and uncertainty at cornerback, which has kept that part of the roster under a spotlight as they try to sort out who can be trusted on the outside and how quickly help might be needed.
Porter being considered available as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal only adds another layer to the decision-making. He would fit the kind of high-upside swing a team like Detroit has to at least examine, but the health concerns and contract wrinkle make any pursuit more complicated than a simple talent upgrade. [Read more 🡒]
Dan Campbell Took Player Connection Further Than Most Coaches Ever Would
Dan Campbell has built his reputation in Detroit on being the kind of coach who does not just preach toughness, but tries to live it alongside his players. His style has long stood out around the NFL because it is so hands-on and so plainly authentic, from working out with players during camp to putting himself in positions that most head coaches would never consider.
Long before he was guiding the Lions, Campbell was already pushing that connection in unusual ways. As the Miami Dolphins tight ends coach, he once wore pads during practice so he could better understand what his players were dealing with physically, a move that helped shape the way he related to them and even rubbed off on other coaches around the league, including Shawn Jefferson and Mike Vrabel. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Have One Crucial Return Job To Sort Out
The Lions have most of their return game sorted, but one important job still needs a clearer answer heading into the 2026 season. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp has identified Tom Kennedy and Greg Dortch as the main candidates to handle punt returns, giving Detroit a two-man competition for a role that can quietly shape field position all year.
Dortch brings the more extensive punt-return background, while Kennedy is expected to be in the mix on kickoffs because of his size and durability. The Lions also have a cluster of options on kickoff duties, including Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki, Dominic Lovett and rookie Isiah Pacheco, and those decisions could come after the preseason game against the Washington Commanders. [Read more 🡒]