The Detroit Lions opened up their preseason slate on Thursday night with a game against the New York Giants, but it wasn’t a good night for Detroit, with the team losing 14-3 in what was a poor showing on offense in particular.
But the preseason isn’t about wins and losses. It’s really about evaluating players as the Lions look to find their initial 53 to begin the season. Without starters playing, rookies and other players had a chance to show their stuff in their quest to earn a roster spot or win a position battle in 2024.
While there were many players who definitely helped their cause, there were a few others who went in the opposite direction. Here’s a look at which players qualified for each category after the Lions’ preseason Week 1 loss to the Giants.
Lions who helped, hurt their cause
Helped
QB Hendon Hooker: Hooker only saw two series, but his second was electric, with the second-year signal-caller showing off his arm and legs. He also looked poised in the pocket and made some decisive throws. There’s definitely still things to work on, but Hooker improved his standing on Thursday night. We’ll see how quickly he can recover from his concussion.
RB Sione Vaki: While the rest of the Lions’ running backs struggled to get anything going, Vaki ripped off both of the longest carries of the night among players at his position, with gains of nine and 15 yards. Vaki is going to make the roster, but he could challenge for the No. 3 running back role, also.
WR Isaiah Williams: Williams led all Lions pass-catchers with four catches and 35 yards, and he added a pair of 28-yard kickoff returns. The undrafted free agent has positioned himself to make the roster after just one preseason game.
DL Brodric Martin: Martin was tied for the second-most tackles on the team and had a pair of passes defensed. We also saw him explode through the line on multiple occasions, one of which resulted in a pressure and near sack.
DE Nate Lynn: The undrafted free agent was sensational in his preseason debut, as he tallied a team-high five pressures and one sack. There are backup edge spots up for grabs in Detroit and Lynn made inroads to grabbing one.
DE Isaac Ukwu: Another standout on the edge, Ukwu managed to get a sack of his own and was tied for the second-most pressures on the team with two.
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: Rakestraw may not get a starting role out of the gate this season but he’s looking like he’s going to be one hell of a backup. The rookie set the tone early with a third-down stop, and he made a tackle on special teams. His coverage on Isaiah Hodgins added in an interception, also.
K Jake Bates: After struggling in training camp, Bates needed to be perfect in his preseason debut. He only had one attempt, but Bates drilled it from 53 yards out, showing exactly why the Lions signed him.
Hurt
QB Nate Sudfeld: Sudfeld was inaccurate and didn’t see open wide receivers on multiple occasions. Adding to that, he threw an interception. Sudfeld’s issues were particularly glaring after seeing the positive performance of Hooker, and head coach Dan Campbell expressed disappointment in him afterwards.
OL Colby Sorsdal: The second-year offensive lineman is trying to grab a depth role and was deployed at right tackle on Thursday night. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good showing, as he allowed a team-high three pressures and was credited with a sack, according to Pro Football Focus.
WR Maurice Alexander: The wide receiver needed a strong showing in the punt return game to help his cause, but he had the exact opposite showing. After a muff on his first try that the Lions recovered, Alexander didn’t call for a fair catch on his second, which led to him getting leveled and nearly coughing up the football again. He was fortunate to be ruled down before it came loose.
