Joshua Dobbs is getting the nod for the Lions this weekend, and the backup quarterback battle in Detroit is still very much alive.
Dan Campbell said Thursday that Dobbs will start Saturday against the Commanders, with Jared Goff set to sit out. The head coach made it clear, though, that this isn’t the end of the competition between Dobbs and rookie Luke Altmyer.
“They’re both going to play equal amounts, is kind of the plan here, between [Dobbs] and Altmyer,” Campbell said.
Last week, Altmyer opened the game and handled 67 percent of the offensive snaps before Dobbs took over for the final 33 percent. Altmyer finished his preseason debut 13-of-22 for 130 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Dobbs, who played against Cincinnati last week, went 4-of-8 for 32 yards.
Campbell said the way the reps have been split in practice and games has partly come down to the different stages of their careers. Dobbs is the veteran; Altmyer is the rookie.
“Look, Dobbs is a bright guy. He’s played in this league,” Campbell said.
“But also, just making sure we’ve got him up to speed, being true to that. And also, Luke’s a young player.
But he’s promising. Getting him, trying to soak him with reps.
So, it’s just kind of a little bit of that. But we’ll get a look at Dobbs here and let him go.”
The Lions signed Dobbs on Aug. 9 after Teddy Bridgewater decided to retire.
Campbell also said he hasn’t decided yet whether all of the other starters will play Saturday. For now, the only thing he knows for sure is that Goff won’t be on the field.
“I’m not quite there yet. I just know I don’t see Goff playing,” Campbell said.
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