In this report, we will look at the news and notes from Lions training camp, plus we will review the first preseason game, a 14-3 loss to the Giants.

QB: There isn’t much to report on QB Jared Goff. He didn’t play against the Giants, and might sit out the next 2 preseason games as well. All indications are that he has been doing well in camp. The Lions held joint practices with the Giants in the days preceding the game, so Goff got his reps in that setting. If he sits out the whole preseason, could he be rusty in week 1 against the Rams? Probably not. He sat out the preseason last year and looked OK in week 1. As you can imagine from the 14-3 final score, this game was a rough watch even by preseason standards, especially with Detroit sitting basically all of their starters. The rainy conditions didn’t help either. QB Nate Sudfeld started and his performance isn’t going to make anyone feel confident that he should be Goff’s backup. QB Hendon Hooker finally saw the field after not playing last year while recovering from his knee injury. He showed some flashes, and wasn’t afraid to leave the pocket. He showed good mobility (4 carries for 34 yards) so I don’t think the knee will be any sort of ongoing concern. But his decision making is probably something that needs work, especially on one of his runs where he lowered his head into a defender. He ended up leaving with a concussion which is a rough break for a guy that needs as many practice and preseason reps as he can get. Sudfeld had to come back in and finish the game and his final stats were 13 of 24 for 96 yards with an INT. There will continue to be rumblings that perhaps the Lions should look outside the organization for a veteran backup quarterback in case something happens to Goff. For now they have signed QB Jake Fromm to help fill in.

RB: Rookie RB Sione Vaki looked pretty good in his limited touches against the Giants with four carries for 29 yards. He seems to have natural elusiveness and I was hoping to see more of him. Maybe he’ll get more work in the next game. If he enters the season as the number 3 running back he would be one injury away from having fantasy relevance so remember his name. He can catch the ball too. The four other running backs other than Vaki that played combined for 41 yards on 19 carries, barely over two yards per carry. Of course the starting offensive line wasn’t playing so while it was a little ugly, this is no reason to panic. RB Jahmyr Gibbs and RB David Montgomery will produce when the season starts. Pay attention to Gibbs though, as he reportedly hurt his hamstring in practice, that news just coming out as I was finishing up this report.

WR/TE: It’s preseason when you look at the box score and see 15 players targeted, 12 with at least one catch, but only two guys with more than 13 receiving yards. UDFA WR Isaiah Williams led the way with 4 catches for 35 yards. I mentioned this guy a couple months ago as a guy that most rankings had as a late round pick. He might not make the 53 man roster but should be a lock for the practice squad. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones was playing in the 4th quarter which makes me wonder if he has fallen on the depth chart to the point where he won’t make the team. WR Daurice Fountain was making noise in camp and there was talk he could contend for the number 3 receiver spot. But against the Giants he had no catches on three targets. WR Kalif Raymond is still the safe bet to enter the regular season as the #3 receiver behind WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and WR Jameson Williams. After that it’s anyone’s guess. I wouldn’t rule out the Lions searching around the league for receivers.

K/DST: We had some developments at the kicker position. PK Michael Badgley suffered some sort of severe injury in practice and was placed on IR so he is out for the year. That leaves PK Jake Bates as the only kicker in camp. He has reportedly been inconsistent at times, but he drilled a 53 yarder in the game against the Giants which was impressive. The Lions posted video of him making a 64 yarder in practice. It’s his job to lose at this point. On defense the Lions have lost a couple of projected role players to long term injuries already in DL John Cominsky and CB Emmanuel Moseley. DT DJ Reader remains on the PUP list. No huge concerns yet, but the depth could really get tested if more players go down.

Up next is preseason game 2 on Saturday 8/17 at Kansas City, then game 3 on Saturday 8/24 vs Pittsburgh.

End.