Lions Edge Commanders in Preseason Showdown
The Detroit Lions secured their first preseason win of the season with a 17-13 victory over the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on Saturday. The game, which saw many starters held out for the Lions, provided a platform for roster hopefuls and raised several questions for both teams ahead of the regular season.
Injury Concerns for the Lions
Cedrick Wilson Jr., a veteran wide receiver vying for the No. 5 receiver job, was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter. Wilson caught passes for 4 and 17 yards before being injured on a route, and Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed worry about the severity. "I'm worried on that one," Campbell said after the game, as reported by M Live Michigan. The Lions also placed running back Raheem Blackshear on injured reserve, and signed running back Roydell Williams and defensive back Jason Taylor in corresponding moves.
Running back Sione Vaki did not play due to a back spasm, which Campbell described as "not major." He is expected to return to practice this week. Additionally, interior offensive lineman Michael Niese left the game with an injury sustained while lead blocking and was seen on crutches in the locker room, as detailed by M Live Michigan.
Commanders' Offensive Line Concerns
The Commanders entered the game with an ongoing competition for the starting center position. Dan Quinn admitted after the game that the team still needs to "figure out" the center spot, as Julian Good-Jones, who started against the Lions, struggled with penalties and allowed pressure. Nick Allegretti remains unavailable due to a calf injury, and rookie Matt Gulbin also received snaps. Quinn praised right guard Sam Cosmi, who he said is "having a good camp" and "playing the best that I've seen him play" in recent years, according to Sports Illustrated.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels played only one series as planned and was sacked once. He described the offensive line as a "work in progress," but expressed confidence in the unit's development. "I think it's still a work in progress," Daniels said, as reported by Heavy. "Like I said, it's only preseason. We still have practices and everything. By the time we get to Game 1, we'll have it set in stone."
Quarterback Battles and Standout Performances
For the Lions, Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer both had mixed performances. Dobbs threw an interception and lost a fumble but also scored on a 50-yard touchdown run, finishing with 74 passing yards. Altmyer threw for 86 yards but was sacked multiple times. Coach Campbell noted "highs and lows" from both quarterbacks, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
On the Commanders' side, Athan Kaliakmanis made a strong case for the QB3 role, completing 11 of 14 passes for 162 yards and no turnovers. His deep-ball accuracy stood out, with a 55-yard pass to Nick Nash and a 30-yard pass to Jaden Bradley. According to Sports Illustrated, Kaliakmanis "completed the three longest plays of the day," and has clearly outplayed Sam Hartman in the competition. Marcus Mariota's MCL injury has increased the importance of the QB3 spot, and Kaliakmanis's performance has strengthened his bid.
Roster Battles and Defensive Highlights
Wide receiver Robert Henry Jr. had a disappointing game for the Commanders, rushing for -3 yards on four carries and losing a fumble on a kickoff return. In contrast, Kaytron Allen made a positive impression with 30 yards on 10 carries, earning praise from analysts. The Commanders' defense continues to generate takeaways, with Amik Robertson forcing a fumble that Joshua Josephs recovered for a touchdown, and Quan Martin recording his second interception in as many games. Dan Quinn emphasized the importance of process over results, saying, "The end result of two is nice, but I want to make sure we're going through the process to create them."
For the Lions, tight end Jackson Meeks emerged as a key player, leading the team with four catches for 33 yards and forcing a fumble on a kickoff return late in the game. Coach Campbell praised Meeks' athleticism and growth, noting that he added 20-plus pounds to transition from wide receiver. The Lions' defense also impressed, allowing only 35 rushing yards and recording multiple sacks from players like D.J. Wonnum and Derrick Moore.
Perspectives
Dan Campbell (Lions head coach) expressed satisfaction with his team's defensive performance and resilience, while acknowledging offensive inconsistency and injury concerns. He remained optimistic about the team's development and the players' ability to overcome adversity.
Dan Quinn (Commanders head coach) took a measured approach, highlighting both positives and negatives. He praised the defense's takeaway mentality and individual performances, but was candid about the offensive line's struggles and the need for improvement in all phases before the regular season.
Jayden Daniels (Commanders quarterback) showed confidence in the offensive line's eventual progress, emphasizing the importance of trust and preparation. His comments reflected a focus on long-term readiness rather than immediate results.
Athan Kaliakmanis (Commanders quarterback) demonstrated that he is exceeding pre-draft expectations, particularly with his deep-ball accuracy. His performance has sparked conversation about his potential role as the team's third quarterback, positioning him as a standout in the preseason.