Detroit Lions training camp is nearly over.
This week—from Tuesday to Thursday—the Lions will take part in the three final practices of 2026 training camp. It’s the final opportunity for players on the roster bubble to make their case for the 53-man roster in the lead up to the preseason finale on Saturday afternoon. Roster cuts will take place in the 24 hours after the game.
Sometimes leaving a final impression late in the game can be the difference between playing on Sundays and looking for a new
job entirely. It not only stays fresh in coaches’ minds, but it shows the ability to grow and evolve throughout the course of training camp.
There are a ton of players sitting on the Lions’ roster bubble right now, but which one would benefit most from a late push? Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Lions player needs a strong finish to camp more than anyone else?
My answer: I’ll list a few.
On offense, it feels like both quarterbacks are still very much jockeying for the backup quarterback job. I still believe Josh Dobbs is the favorite due to his experience, but after making a few critical mistakes in the preseason opener, he needs to finish strong to maintain that spot. Luke Altmyer has certainly surpassed expectations, but he’s cooled a little since his hot start.
Additionally, I’m looking for anyone amongst the receiver group to stand out and challenge front-runner Tay Martin for the WR5 role. With Cedrick Wilson Jr. now on injured reserve, that competition is wide open. Players like Dominic Lovett, Lucky Jackson, and Tarik Black should have more opportunities now, and they need to take full advantage.
On defense, it’s all about the linebacking corps to me. With Damone Clark and Jimmy Rolder still sidelined with injury, the likes of Erick Hunter, Troy Reeder, and Joe Bachie will continue to get a ton of reps and need to finish strong to land a spot on the 53-man roster.
Finally, there’s cornerback. More so than anyone else, I think Ennis Rakestraw needs to finish strong here. It’s been a rough camp for him, and while he had a decent set of practices last week, it ended with an injury and a nondescript performance in the preseason game. I don’t know if his roster spot is truly up for grabs, but a strong finish would certainly give some peace of mind that he’s improving and could eventually challenge for a starting primary backup role.
Which Lions player do you believe needs the strong finish to training camp and the preseason? Share your answer in the comment section below.
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
