The Lions opened the 2026 NFL preseason with a 16-14 loss in Cincinnati on Thursday.
The Lions opened the 2026 NFL preseason with a 16-14 loss in Cincinnati on Thursday.
ALLEN PARK — Josh Dobbs will start at quarterback for the Detroit Lions in their preseason game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, Aug. 22, coach Dan Campbell said on Thursday, Aug. 20.
Campbell said the backup quarterback job remains an open competition, despite undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer taking the vast majority of reps over Dobbs since the veteran joined the team earlier this month.
“Dobbs is a bright guy. He’s played in this league. But also, man, just making sure we got him up to speed, being true to that,” Campbell said when asked why Dobbs hasn’t received more practice reps. “And also, Luke’s a young player, but he’s promising. Getting him, trying to soak him with reps, so it was just kind of a little bit of that, but we’ll get a look at Dobbs here and let him go.”
Altmyer was 13-for-22 for 130 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the team’s preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Dobbs was 4-for-8 for 32 yards.
Dobbs said he’s “excited about the opportunity on Saturday,” adding that it’s taken time to get on the same page with Detroit’s receivers.
“Even every rep of routes on air with the receivers, first time going to that guy, understanding how they come out of their breaks and cut,” Dobbs said. “Every rep is a great opportunity just to maximize the skill set, but also get a feel of the guys around me.”
Altmyer’s first interception was a perfect throw to Isaac TeSlaa that bounced off his facemask and into the hands of Bengals defensive back Jordan Battle; his second was an attempt in the final minute as the team was trying to charge the length of the field.
The turnover that was Altmyer’s fault came early in the second quarter. The ball squirted out of his hands before he could hand the ball off to running back Jacob Saylors, resulting in a fumble deep in Detroit territory that led to the Bengals’ first touchdown. But all things considered, Altmyer’s growth has impressed, and the Lions intend to push him as far as he can go in his first NFL camp.
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