The Detroit Lions’ second-to-last preseason game of 2026 gives a few young players a chance to keep climbing before training camp winds down, and the matchup with the Washington Commanders should offer a useful measuring stick.
Washington did plenty this offseason to tighten up its defense, adding Sonny Styles through the draft and bringing in Leo Chenal in free agency. Even so, there are still real questions up front on offense, and that means uncertainty around the protection for Jayden Daniels and the run game behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt. That opens the door for Detroit’s rookies to make some noise.
One name worth watching is EDGE Derrick Moore. After missing time with a minor strain a few weeks ago, Moore returned to practice and wasted no time making an impression.
His multi-sack day included getting past rookie tackle Blake Miller to reach Jared Goff, exactly the kind of disruption the Lions are hoping to see from him this season. Against a Commanders line that may still be sorting itself out, Moore should get chances to work through different looks and strengthen his case for a Week 1 role.
Another rookie with a lot riding on this one is cornerback Keith Abney II. Detroit’s nickel spot is still unsettled, and Abney has been part of the competition there along with Christian Izien and Roger McCreary. Team reporter Tim Twentyman noted that:
"Rookie fifth-round pick Keith Abney II has started taking first-team reps at the nickel cornerback spot the last few days. He was good in his preseason debut last week.
He had a couple nice plays in coverage Monday, one in particular on St. Brown on an early 3rd & 5 play to force an incompletion and a punt.
Abney, Roger McCreary and Christian Izien look to be in a pretty good battle for the nickel role."
Abney followed a strong preseason debut with more solid work in coverage, and this game could be a tougher assignment if Washington starts some of its top receivers. If he opens with the first unit, he may find himself in the thick of a secondary test against Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin.
Then there’s defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, who may not be in line to jump anyone on the depth chart, but has done enough to stay in the conversation for a 53-man roster spot. He had two quarterback hits against Josh Johnson in Week 1 of the preseason and kept showing up as a disruptive pass rusher. For a sixth-round pick who looked headed for the practice squad before camp, that’s a strong turn.
Gill-Howard has continued to improve throughout training camp, and he models his game after future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. More performances like the ones he’s already put on would only help his push to make the roster over players like Chris Smith or Myles Adams.
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Derrick Moore Just Added Real Heat To A Lions Battle
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The bigger picture for Detroit is that Moore is part of a rookie class getting useful preseason work while the Lions keep pressing to find more answers in the pass rush. Ahmed Hassanein and D.J. Wonnum are in the same mix, and the competition has only gotten tighter as the newcomers keep pushing each other. For a team that wants real edge depth, Moores return has turned a quiet camp storyline into one worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face One Roster Battle Fans Should Watch Closely
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Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp has been part of that conversation, too, underscoring both the upside and the risk in sorting out the group. With so many linebackers still fighting for an edge and special teams value likely to matter in the final call, Detroit has one of those late-summer roster battles worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]