The Lions are heading into Thursday night’s preseason opener with a long list of players worth tracking, even if most of the headline names won’t suit up. Detroit opens 2026 against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium, and while Dan Campbell doesn’t expect to play many starters, the Bengals are set to roll out theirs for at least a stretch.
That setup turns the game into a proving ground for younger players, roster hopefuls and a few veterans trying to carve out bigger roles. Here are the names that matter most.
Miller is set for his NFL debut after Campbell said the first-round pick from this year’s draft will play. Training camp has been a mixed bag for him so far, with plenty of learning moments while he’s worked against Aidan Hutchinson.
Thursday gives him a different kind of test: a Bengals defense that will have its starters on the field for a limited time. The exact workload is unclear, but the spotlight will be bright on every snap.
Hassanein has been one of camp’s biggest risers. The move from EDGE to big end has helped him settle in, and his play has picked up as a result.
Last year, he flashed before a preseason injury ended his season. This time around, he’s trying to show he belongs not just on the roster, but in a meaningful role.
If his practice production carries over, he has a chance to make a real statement.
Quarterback is another area where Detroit needs answers. Jared Goff is not expected to play, and Teddy Bridgewater’s abrupt retirement forced the Lions to adjust quickly.
Josh Dobbs was added, but Altmyer is expected to handle a heavy workload in his first game action. The undrafted free agent has drawn positive reviews from coaches and teammates, and he’s had some strong moments in camp already.
Thursday is his chance to back that up.
White is in a similar spot, but with a much different background. After Jimmy Rolder’s injury, Detroit brought White in, and reports say he has had a phenomenal start to camp.
There were questions about his recent performance and whether he could still play at a high level, but he’ll get his first look in a Lions uniform on Thursday. The upside is there for him to start and become a major piece of Detroit’s defense.
The backfield will be short-handed, which opens the door for Saylors. Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco and even Sione Vaki are not expected to play, and Jabari Small missed practice Tuesday and may be dealing with an injury.
That should put Saylors first in line. He spent last season on the active roster mostly as a kick returner, and now he gets a chance to show he can handle more.
A strong showing could help close the gap with Vaki, who is currently listed as the third running back.
Special teams coach Dave Fipp already has big expectations for Hunter, saying he expects “a million” tackles over Detroit’s preseason slate. That number may have been a bit much, but the point stands: Hunter should be busy.
The linebacker room is crowded with veterans, especially after the additions of White and Amen Ogbongbemiga, but Hunter may still have a path to the roster through special teams. He should get work in every phase Thursday.
Wilson has turned a few heads with highlight plays in camp, and the veteran has a chance to stand out in a deep receiver group. He has plenty of experience, which could matter for Altmyer, who may need a dependable target in his first game action. Wilson has bounced around the league during his career, and this is another opportunity to make himself useful in a crowded room.
Lucas is another undrafted player worth watching closely. Detroit viewed him as one of the top UDFAs in this class, and he arrives with the kind of size and athleticism teams can work with. The USC product can line up as a big end or a speed rusher, and with Derrick Moore expected to miss time because of a groin injury, Lucas could see a heavy workload in the Bengals’ backfield.
McLaughlin is in line for a significant opportunity at center. Cade Mays is expected to miss a substantial amount of time with a wrist injury, and Juice Scruggs is currently out with a soft-tissue injury before eventually rejoining the center competition.
McLaughlin, signed to a futures contract this offseason, took first-team reps earlier in the week and appears set to be the first man at the pivot Thursday. That makes this a big chance for him to strengthen his case for the final roster.
Rakestraw is also trying to push his way into the picture after injuries slowed the first two years of his career. He may not be winning the second cornerback job right now, with Rock Ya-Sin apparently moving ahead in that competition, but he should still see snaps against Cincinnati.
Since the Bengals are expected to use their starters, Rakestraw could wind up matched with Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins. That would be a major test and a useful measuring stick.
Meeks remains one of the more interesting offensive bubble players. The Syracuse product converted from wide receiver and spent the offseason adding bulk to make the switch.
He flashed in last year’s preseason as a UDFA and stayed with the organization all season, even if that wasn’t enough to make the final roster. Like Wilson, he could be a dependable option for Altmyer and Dobbs in this game.
Whiteside has gone from afterthought to real secondary contender over the course of camp. He has been around the ball constantly in practice and has shown good coverage ability along the way.
Thursday is his chance to do it against live competition, and with Cincinnati’s starters on the other side, the challenge is a real one. If he holds up well, it will only add weight to the idea that he has been one of Detroit’s best performers in camp.
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