The Detroit Lions didn’t play any starters in their opening preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but that is expected to change this weekend as the Washington Commanders come to town.
Head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that the Lions will play a significant number of their starters against the Commanders, but not all. Campbell didn’t reveal who won’t take the field.
With most of the Lions’ top players set to see some action on Saturday, let’s take a look at six Lions starters who would benefit most from reps.
Quarterback Jared Goff
Goff is a veteran quarterback who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, so he doesn’t need too many reps on Saturday. However, the Lions would be wise to play Goff for at least a drive to knock rust off.
The NFC North will likely be the most competitive division in football from top to bottom this season, so Detroit, and especially Goff, can’t afford a slow start. The 2016 No. 1 overall pick should play in the preseason for the first time since 2022 versus the Commanders to get his feet wet again.
Cornerback D.J. Reed
Reed missed nearly two weeks of camp with a groin injury, but he returned to practice on Saturday and seems fully recovered.
Like Goff, Reed is a veteran with a lot of in-game starting experience. But the Lions should still give the 29-year-old a series or two to get him back into the swing of things. Reed must play at a high level this season with the lingering questions in Detroit’s secondary.
Offensive Tackles Blake Miller/Larry Borom
Miller and Borom are still fighting for the starting right tackle spot, so preseason action is essential for both of their cases. Miller, the Lions first-round pick in April’s draft, seems to be the favorite as of now after a strong showing in Cincinnati last week.
However, Borom isn’t out of it yet, and one preseason game could change the position battle.
Tight End Sam LaPorta
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LaPorta missed the second half of the 2025 season with a back injury, but he’s back healthy and ready to be a difference-maker for the Lions’ offense again. When LaPorta is on the field, the offense looks more dynamic and versatile than when he isn’t.
It’s been nearly 10 months since LaPorta took the field for a game, so Detroit should give him some action on Saturday. But it would also be reasonable to hold the star tight end out and let Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, and Jackson Meeks take all the snaps.
Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill
McNeill is now nearly two years removed from a torn ACL suffered in December 2024. The 26-year-old showed flashes of his old self in 10 games last season, but it was clear McNeill wasn’t all the way back yet.
Entering 2026, McNeill will be returning his starting spot on the interior of the defensive line, and Detroit should play the former third-round pick on the opening drive of Saturday’s contest to prepare him for a highly anticipated bounce-back campaign.
