The Detroit Lions kick off their 2026 preseason action tonight in Cincinnati against the Bengals. After 11 intense training camp practices, Head Coach Dan Campbell and General Manager Brad Holmes get their first extended look at the roster’s young talent, late-round rookies, and depth pieces competing for the final 53-man roster spots.
| Detail | Matchup / Information |
| Game | Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals |
| Lions QB Plan | Luke Altmyer (UDFA Rookie) starting; Josh Dobbs to log reps |
| Bengals QB Plan | Joe Burrow and starters expected to play 1–2 drives |
| Lions Key Rookies Playing | OT Blake Miller (1st Rd), CB Keith Abney II (5th Rd), DL Skyler Gill-Howard (6th Rd), DL Tyre West (7th Rd) |
| Lions Key Rookies Out | EDGE Derrick Moore (groin), LB Jimmy Rolder (hamstring) |
Tonight marks the first game-setting play-calling opportunity for new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who joined Detroit this offseason after leading the Arizona Cardinals’ offense for three seasons.
“It’s more about [him] and I… so he learns my communication with him, what I’m looking for… I get a feel of him and the way he thinks to in-game flow.”
— Dan Campbell on establishing rhythm with new OC Drew Petzing.
With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams expected to sit, the spotlight turns to a fiercely competitive receiver group.
Several unheralded young players have stacked impressive practices early in training camp. Tonight is their chance to prove it translates when the lights turn on:
Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence will play the first couple of drives.
This provides an invaluable test for Detroit’s secondary backups and rotational defenders, giving Campbell and Holmes a clear look at how their depth holds up against elite, first-team NFL talent.
Jose Reis is a sports enthusiast and performance specialist with a background in administration and sports media. As a former sports podcaster and broadcaster, José has spent years analyzing athletic performance and the evolution of competitive sports. At TheGymWaves, he applies his analytical mindset to explore fitness technologies, ergonomic tools, and habit-building frameworks. José specializes in high-performance optimization, helping readers select the best tools and routines to enhance physical output and cognitive health through structured, data-driven habits.
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