The Detroit Lions put a bow on its 2026 NFL preseason slate with a 25-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
Now, Detroit has tough decisions to make as the deadline to cut down to its initial 53-man roster for the 2026 NFL season is Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
As roster cuts arrive, the Lions' performance against the Colts
certainly answered some questions and might have presented Detroit with a few others.Here's some initial thoughts and observations from the Lions' win at the Colts:
Josh Dobbs separates in the backup quarterback competition
Lucky Jackson is making all sorts of plays. Five grabs for 94 yards in this first half against the Colts. pic.twitter.com/YvKFPdoCKT
— The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) August 29, 2026
If the Lions' backup quarterback is from one of the two that were on Detroit's 90-man training camp roster, Josh Dobbs was probably always
the odds-on favorite to win the competition between himself and undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer. Dobbs' NFL experience is just a difference maker in that battle.
Dobbs has appeared in 27 career NFL games and started 15. But, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said earlier this week that Detroit wouldn't close its eyes to a rookie backup signal-caller if Altmyer showed enough progress.
On Saturday, Dobbs separated and simplified the Lions' decision. Dobbs completed 15 of 19 passes for 128 yards with two touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 216-pound quarterback directed three Lions touchdown drives.
Meanwhile, Altmyer passed for just 55 yards, had a bad early interception and fumbled away another possession as he was sacked. The inability to process quickly reared its ugly head for Altmyer on Saturday. It resulted in the rookie out of Illinois being sacked twice.
It certainly wasn't all bad for Altmyer. On the touchdown drive he directed, Altmyer had a pair of nice third-down conversions to receivers Greg Dortch and Lucky Jackson. But, Saturday clearly tipped the scales in Dobbs' direction.
Lucky Jackson emerges along wide receiver bubble
Lucky Jackson made it look easy pic.twitter.com/PyxauBxhZ0
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2026
Campbell consistently praised the competition at wide receiver during Lions training camp.
Tay Martin, Tom Kennedy, Lucky Jackson, Dominic Lovett, Malik Cunningham and Tarik Black have all been thought to be competing for Detroit's fifth (and maybe sixth) wide receiver slots on the 53-man roster.
Martin's ability to consistently make plays, his impact on special teams and his willingness to embrace the dirty work earned recognition from Campbell throughout camp. It also garnered Martin a spot on Dave Birkett's final 53-man roster prediction with the Detroit Free Press.
But, it was Lucky Jackson that surged on Saturday. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound wideout had a sweet snag down the right sideline on a great throw from Dobbs. That set up Dobbs' 2-yard touchdown strike to Martin.
Jackson flashed all day long, finishing with game-highs in both receptions (5) and in receiving yardage (94).
Was it enough to make Detroit's 53-man roster? If not, Jackson would be an obvious candidate for the Lions' practice squad should he clear waivers.
Jacob Saylors makes a strong final case
Saylors with a pickup of 19 yards!
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 29, 2026
Up to 100 yards on the day pic.twitter.com/cXkab0aobT
Jacob Saylors might have sewn up a roster spot.
Saylors was the Lions' leading rusher throughout the preseason and he erupted for 100 rushing yards on 17 carries against the Colts, including a long of 22 yards.
Campbell said in postgame that he would have total confidence in Saylors if Saylors had to step into the primary backup role behind Jahmyr Gibbs early this season. That's a strong endorsement from his head coach that Saylors is well positioned to make the 53-man roster.
Isiah Pacheco has battled knee and back injuries throughout camp and the preseason, throwing his Week 1 status into question.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has an up-and-down day
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. INT ‼️
— The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) August 29, 2026
Ahmed Hassanein and Eric O'Neill provided the pressure. pic.twitter.com/hZbtU4RXhE
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. had a mixed-bag day. Rakestraw was beaten in coverage on a fourth down pass and conversion that led to the Colts' lone touchdown.
The 2024 second-round pick bounced back with a nice interception on a pass intended for Anthony Gould.
Rakestraw should be safely on the Lions 53-man roster. But, 2026 is make-or-break for a player that's still only played in eight NFL games due to injury. If he's a long-term answer, it's time to start showing it. Up-and-down days in the regular season won't cut it moving forward.
Skyler Gill-Howard keeps impressing
Skyler Gill-Howard dumps Anthony Richardson for the sack. SGH had a TFL and a QB hit against the Commanders, too. pic.twitter.com/LAO5n95jau
— The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) August 29, 2026
Is Skyler Gill-Howard fun to watch or what? SGH sacked Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Tip of the cap to Anthony Lucas collapsing the pocket on that rep, too.
After back-to-back impressive preseason performances from Gill-Howard against the Commanders and Colts, there's some growing optimism that Lions general manager Brad Holmes found a sixth-round steal in the former Red Raider.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: 5 thoughts, takeaways from Lions' NFL preseason win vs. Colts
