Report Reveals Which Lions’ Stars Won’t Play vs. Washington
· Yahoo Sports
The Detroit Lions are keeping most of their biggest names out of harm’s way Saturday against the Washington Commanders, but one player whose status was uncertain is dressed and apparently available.
During pregame warmups at Ford Field, Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams were all in street clothes, Justin Rogers reported. Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, Penei Sewell and Alim McNeill were also not in uniform.
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None of those absences should come as much of a surprise. Dan Campbell had already announced that Goff would not play and indicated Detroit would be selective with its established starters. Josh Dobbs is scheduled to start at quarterback, with rookie Luke Altmyer also expected to receive significant playing time.
The more interesting development involves Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Rogers reported that Rakestraw was in uniform during warmups after suffering an ankle injury during Thursday’s practice. That does not guarantee he’ll play, but simply seeing him dressed two days after leaving practice is another encouraging sign that Detroit avoided a significant injury.
Rakestraw’s ankle injury was reported Friday as not being serious. His availability for Saturday had remained uncertain.
Rakestraw has already dealt with multiple injury scares this preseason. He also left Detroit’s opener against Cincinnati after being injured while attempting a tackle, though that issue did not develop into a lengthy absence. His health has become particularly important because Detroit is still evaluating its cornerback rotation and Rakestraw needs game repetitions after two injury-disrupted NFL seasons.
There was another interesting sight during warmups: D.J. Reed was also in uniform.
Rogers cautioned that Reed being dressed does not necessarily mean the veteran cornerback will actually play. Detroit already knows what it has in Reed, so there is little reason to expose him to unnecessary preseason snaps unless Campbell believes a brief appearance would benefit the secondary.
The approach with Detroit’s offensive stars is much easier to understand. Goff had previously said he was willing to play in the preseason if Campbell wanted him to, but Detroit has apparently decided the risk isn’t worth the reward Saturday.
That leaves the afternoon to Dobbs, Altmyer and the Lions fighting for jobs.
For Rakestraw, merely being healthy enough to put the uniform on may already qualify as the most encouraging pregame development.