The Preseason Kickoff

The Detroit Lions preseason kick off of the 2024 preseason on the road against the New York Giants at the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in both teams’ preseason opener. The two teams met in Week 1 of the 2023 preseason, resulting in a 21-16 Lions victory. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. EDT Tonight, August 8.

Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters fans should not expect to see quarterback Jared Goff and many of the other starters, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anyone to keep your eye on tonight, as playing roles and roster spots are still up for the taking.

“Certainly, some of the guys we know we’re going to count on during the season, I don’t see them necessarily playing and if they do, not very many reps,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week. “But our young guys are going to get a lot of these, and developmental players are going to get a ton of these reps.”

To watch ‘Joint Practice with Detroit Lions | New York Giants,’ Click here!

Lions: The Backup QB competition

Hendon Hooker and Nate Sudfeld are likely to get a half each tonight to compete for the QB2 spot come the regular season. This will be the first game action for Hooker in two seasons since he suffered a torn ACL while on a Heisman Trophy run at Tennessee. 

Sudfeld, who tore an ACL last preseason, has too looked promising in training camp so far and will be looking for more action tonight.

Campbell said this week of Hooker, ”He just needs reps. And it doesn’t matter if it’s us or it’s them or it’s a game, he just needs reps and reps and reps and he goes to bed and he needs reps and he wakes up and he needs reps.” 

Lions: Depth at Receiver

The starters at the Lions receiver position are set, but No. 4 and possibly No. 5 on the roster are made within these preseason game opportunities. As it stands right now through three weeks of training camp practice this week with the Giants, Daurice Fountain and Kaden Davis have looked the most promising of the receivers competing.

Hometown kid, Donovan Peoples-Jones, who the Lions traded for is in the mix. Though Campbell said last week he is looking for more from Peoples-Jones. Everyone competing at receiver will have an opportunity tonight to showcase how they can potentially contribute to the receiver group and team.

Lions: The nickel cornerback spot

Early in camp rookie Ennis Rakestraw Jr. played both inside and outside in first-team and second-team reps. Recently safety Ifeatu Melifonwu started working in the nickel, as the team evaluates if he’s a fit with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch starting at safety.

Though Moseley just suffered a significant pectoral injury that will keep him sidelined indefinitely, its Robertson – who last season played inside and outside for the Raiders, the favorite to earn a significant role this season.

“… We have options, we’re not stressed, we’re just going to keep working through this and we’ll find the guy and the best combination that’s going to help us defensively,” Campbell said Tuesday.

Jake Bates debut

Bates, before he was released, played in a preseason game with Houston last year and made 2-3 kicking extra points. Bates signed with the UFL and while having a standout year, which earned him a chance in Detroit in training camp.

It will be Detroit’s first game with the new kickoff rules enforced. It’s expected to be rainy and windy in East Rutherford for tonight’s game, a true test for Bates. Bates has a big leg, and hopefully he can consistently put it between the uprights.

Ways to tune in to the game tonight:

WATCH LIVE

Local TV Coverage: Lions TV Network

Live streaming: Fans can watch local and primetime games FOR FREE on their phone and tablet devices on www.DetroitLions.com or the Detroit Lions Mobile App. Click on the banner at the top of the page once the game has started to begin streaming!

LISTEN LIVE

Local radio broadcast: Lions Radio Network

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