Detroit Lions 2026 Preseason Game 1: Player Watchlist
Thirteen players to keep an eye on
Today, the Detroit Lions take on the Cincinnati Bengals in their first preseason game of 2026. For injury protection reasons, the Lions won’t play any veteran, key starters in this game. Also, players with active injuries won’t suit up. That means we won’t see these players:
Sam LaPorta, TE - disc surgery recovery
DJ Reed, CB - mild groin injury
Isiah Pacheco, RB - mild-moderate MCL
Sione Vaki, RB - eye injury, nasal fracture
Cade Mays, C - wrist fracture
Derrick Moore, EDGE - mild groin strain
Payton Turner, EDGE - back
Jimmy Rolder, LB - moderate-severe hamstring
Instead, we will see a lot of players competing to make the 53-man roster or the practice squad. Here is a list of players to watch along with recovering injuries - ordered by player number for easy reference during the game.
#2 Ennis Rakestraw, CB - Shoulder
Rakestraw missed all last season with a shoulder injury suffered in last year’s training camp. The year before that, he missed half the season with hamstrings. First and foremost for 2026, Rakestraw must get through preseason healthy.
#12 Thomas Harper, S - Concussions
Harper suffered 2 concussions last December, both the result of diving low and getting kneed in the head. Watch his tackling mechanism during preseason games to see if he has learned to keep his head out of the way. If he stays healthy, he has a chance to be a starter in Week 1.
#17 Dan Jackson, S - Leg
Jackson missed all last season with a leg injury. With the current uncertainty of the Lions safety position, there is a window open for a young player like Jackson to step up.
#34 Kye Robichaux, RB - Shoulder
Robichaux missed all of 2025 with a shoulder injury. With Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki out, this could be Robichaux’s chance to shine.
#44 Malcolm Rodriguez, LB - Ankle, ACL
Rodriguez missed a week recently with a suspected left ankle sprain, thus he probably will skip this game. He is a key reserve linebacker, especially with Jimmy Rolder out for likely a couple months with a moderate-severe hamstring.
Rodriguez had a delayed return from his 2024 ACL, so there are still question marks as to his recovery.
#65 Seth McLaughlin, C - Achilles
McLaughlin hasn’t seen regular season NFL game action since his 2024 Achilles rupture suffered in college. With Cade Mays out with a wrist fracture for a couple months, McLaughlin could be the surprise starter.
#70 Juice Scruggs, OG/C - Unspecified soft tissue
Scruggs is another potential starter at center. He’s currently out with a minor soft-tissue strain, so he probably doesn’t play in this game. But if he does, then it will be interesting to see how Scruggs compares to McLaughlin.
#75 Colby Sorsdal, OG - Leg
Sorsdal missed all of 2025 with a leg injury. Entering the final year of his 4-year rookie deal, this may be his last chance to make an impact with the Lions.
#76 Blake Miller, RT - Healthy
The Lions’ 1st-round rookie might be the only definite starter who will play in this game.
#78 Ben Bartch, OG - Lisfranc
Bartch has had an unexpectedly delayed recovery from his Lisfranc surgery last December. He only just returned to practice a couple days ago. Thus, I don’t expect to see him play in this game.
#83 Tyler Conklin, TE - Calf
Conklin missed the first week of camp on PUP due to a calf injury. He may sit out this game for precautionary reasons.
#94 Mekhi Wingo, DT - Groin, meniscus
A groin injury sidelined this 3rd-year player for about 4 days recently in camp. He health history is notable for a 2024 knee meniscus surgery which may have left residuals. This is a going to be a huge preseason for him to prove he is healthy and productive.
#99 Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE - Pec
This 2nd-year player didn’t play last year after missing months for a pec strain. However, Hassanein has gotten rave reviews from onlookers in practice and from Dan Campbell recently. Let’s see if it translates to a game.