Snap counts\u2014and more importantly, order of lineups\u2014in the preseason can be very telling as to where each player currently stands in the depth chart. So we took a closer look at the participation of individual Detroit Lions players in their preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Here\u2019s what we found.<\/p>\n
Luke Altmyer: 44 snaps (67%)Josh Dobbs: 22 (33%)Jared Goff: DNP<\/p>\n
Luke Altmyer nearly got the entire game, but Josh Dobbs stepped in during the second quarter. At first, it appeared the Lions may have benched Altmyer after he fumbled, but coach Dan Campbell clarified after the game that the plan was always to give Dobbs some reps with the \u201cstarting\u201d offensive line.<\/p>\n
With a strong performance from Altmyer, it\u2019ll be fascinating to see if he can win the backup job over Dobbs, but the fact that Detroit wanted to get the veteran quarterback some early reps in the first half suggests to me that they want to get him ready to be the primary backup.<\/p>\n
Jacob Saylors: 29 (44%) \u2014 3 special teams snaps (12%)Kye Robichaux: 21 (32%) \u2014 8 (32%)Raheem Blackshear: 16 (24%) \u2014 7 (28%)Jahmyr Gibbs: DNPIsiah Pacheco: DNP (injury)Sione Vaki: DNP (injury)Jabari Small: DNP (injury)<\/p>\n
Saylors got the start and played extremely well, as he continues to make a strong case to be the team\u2019s RB4 for the second straight season. Unfortunately, his main competition\u2014Jabari Small\u2014is still being held out with what is likely a knee injury. Raheem Blackshear, who was only added recently, got some praise from Campbell after the game, but he\u2019ll need to stack more performances to move his way into the conversation.<\/p>\n
And while Sione Vaki didn\u2019t play as he continues to rest following a nose and eye injury, his roster spot is pretty safe after Campbell essentially locked him in as RB3 on Thursday night while praising Saylors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know those two backs (Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco) at the top and we know what (Sione) Vaki is, he\u2019s one of the best special teams players in the league. So, if that fourth running back is going to make it, he\u2019s going to need to help on special teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dominic Lovett: 32 (48%) \u2014 7 (28%)Tay Martin: 30 (45%) \u2014 7 (28%)Tom Kennedy: 25 (38%)Lucky Jackson: 17 (26%) \u2014 7 (28%)Isaac TeSlaa: 17 (26%)Tarik Black: 16 (24%) \u2014 7 (28%)Cedrick Wilson: 15 (23%)Malik Cunningham: 14 (21%) \u2014 8 (32%)Greg Dortch: 7 (11%) \u2014 1 (4%)Amon-Ra St. Brown: DNPJameson Williams: DNP<\/p>\n
Isaac TeSlaa got plenty of reps, with the Lions hoping the second-year receiver could shake his slow start to training camp. Unfortunately, that didn\u2019t happen. Detroit\u2019s WR4, Greg Dortch, barely played any, further cementing his spot on the roster.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the WR5 battle is continuing to heat up. Dominic Lovett\u2019s play was up and down, with him making a few big catches, a couple drops, and a muffed punt (that he recovered). Meanwhile, Tay Martin had a nice grab, and Tarik Black had Detroit\u2019s only touchdown\u2014and a nice catch called by an iffy pass interference.<\/p>\n
It was a quiet day for Tom Kennedy, and his lack of any special teams reps could certainly be notable.<\/p>\n
Tyler Gordon: 25 (38%) \u2014 7 (28%)Jackson Meeks: 24 (36%) \u2014 9 (36%)Zach Horton: 22 (33%) \u2014 13 (52%)Tyler Conklin: 17 (26%)Sam LaPorta: DNPBrock Wright: DNP<\/p>\n
Tyler Conklin got his feet wet early in the game, which is a good sign for his injury progress. He continues to be the heavy favorite for the TE3 job. Meanwhile, Jackson Meeks got the earliest play of the reserves, suggesting he\u2019s higher on the depth chart than Tyler Gordon and Zach Horton, who played deep into the game.<\/p>\n
Miles Frazier: 66 (100%)Blake Miller: 39 (59%) \u2014 3 (12%)Larry Borom: 39 (59%) \u2014 3 (12%)Colby Sorsdal: 27 (41%) \u2014 3 (12%)Penei Sewell: DNPDevin Cochran: DNP (presumably injury)Seth McLaughlin: 39 (59%) \u2014 3 (12%)Christian Mahogany: 39 (59%) \u2014 3 (12%)Mason Miller: 27 (41%) \u2014 3 (12%)Michael Niese: 27 (41%)Melvin Priestly: 27 (41%)Tate Ratledge: DNPBen Bartch: DNP (injury?)Juice Scruggs: DNP (injury)Cade Mays: DNP (injury)<\/p>\n
The first-team offensive line looked like this:<\/p>\n
LT: Larry BoromLG: Christian MahoganyC: Seth McLaughlinRG: Miles FrazierRT: Blake Miller<\/p>\n
And the second-team offensive line looked like this:<\/p>\n
LT: Miles FrazierLG: Melvin PriestlyC: Michael NieseRG: Mason MillerRT: Colby Sorsdal<\/p>\n
And they didn\u2019t stray from those two lineups the entire game. McLaughlin\u2019s Lions debut was very hot and cold, while it was a tough night for Miles Frazier, who was flagged for holding three times.<\/p>\n
First-round pick Blake Miller got plenty of work in the game, and Campbell was optimistic about his debut, although he ceded his full judgment until he got a look at the replay of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like my eyes were never on he or Larry (Borom) and that\u2019s a positive,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cThat\u2019s a pretty good sign that they\u2019re handling their business. We didn\u2019t have any issues on the perimeter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anthony Lucas: 50 (71%)Eric O\u2019Neill: 38 (54%)Ahmed Hassanein: 29 (41%) \u2014 9 (36%)Tyler Lacy: 13 (19%)Aidan Hutchinson: DNPDJ Wonnum: DNPPayton Turner: DNP (injury)Derrick Moore: DNP (Injury)<\/p>\n
Lucas played both early and late in the game, so it\u2019s hard to get a read on his status with the team, but the biggest story from this group is Hassanein<\/a>. He tallied a sack on his very first snap, and followed it up with another in the second half, as he moves closer and closer to a roster lock.<\/p>\n Eric O\u2019Neill was also forced to play a ton and started making an impact late in the game.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, presumed starter Tyler Lacy only played a little early in the game, as the Lions were shorthanded at this position.<\/p>\n Skyler Gill-Howard: 38 (54%) \u2014 4 (16%)Myles Adams: 36 (51%)Chris Smith: 29 (41%) \u2014 4 (16%)Levi Onwuzurike: 15 (21%)Mekhi Wingo: 14 (20%)Ben Stille: 13 (19)Tyre West: 4 (6%) \u2014 2 (8%)Tyleik Williams: DNPAlim McNeill: DNP<\/p>\n