Detroit Lions: Questions about left guard linger ahead of dress rehearsal

The Detroit Lions’ third preseason game is an important evaluation for one of their biggest question marks heading into 2019 – who will start at left guard?

Approaching the pivotal Week 3 game of the preseason, the Detroit Lions’ projected starting lineup is slowly becoming clearer. However, one position remains essentially up-for-grabs, and it would benefit the Lions to emerge Saturday morning with a definitive answer.

Left guard stands as the one starting unmanned offensive position. Since the release and subsequent retirement of veteran T.J. Lang in March, Detroit has given opportunities to a number of candidates to establish themselves at the position. To this point, none of them have been able to separate themselves from the pack.

That’s not to say that the cupboard is bare. Kenny Wiggins started 10 games at right guard in 2018. Oday Aboushi has experience in new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s scheme, and Joe Dahl recently signed a two-year contract extension, confirming his status as an important piece of the Lions’ offense.

However, none of them, in addition to undrafted free agent rookie Beau Benzschawel have shown enough in training camp or in Detroit’s first two preseason contests to warrant being the flat-out clear choice.

Wiggins has been getting snaps as a backup tackle in the wake of swing tackle Tyrell Crosby’s concussion. Benzschawel, who has been receiving reps primarily with the third string unit thus far, is improving, but has a long way to go to gain the coaches’ trust. Aboushi has looked … let’s not go there.

That leaves Dahl, the former college tackle and fifth round pick, who has steadily improved in his time with the Lions, and who has been a valuable utility player in his three seasons. He played well against the Houston Texans last week, and was a big part of the Lions’ improved pass protection compared to their prior contest against the New England Patriots.

Yet, Dahl committed two penalties, missteps that would undoubtedly prove costly and draw the ire of head coach Matt Patricia during the regular season. He has started just four games in his career, but he may be the Lions’ best option at this juncture, regardless of some of the growing pains that he may still undergo.

On the eve of the Lions’ third preseason tilt, the proverbial “dress rehearsal” game, all eyes are on how much the starters, particularly quarterback Matthew Stafford, will play, if at all. Patricia has been very judicious about playing his key contributors in the exhibition season thus far, so we may not gain full clarity until Week 1.

However, all four of the prime candidates for the left guard spot figure to see extended playing time tomorrow. It will be a critical storyline to follow in the Lions’ final major tune up for the regular season. Ideally, one of them will make a statement in their favor, and sew up one Detroit’s few remaining lineup uncertainties.

Look for Dahl to get the start again, and keep an eye on his run blocking in particular, as the Lions shift to a ground-heavy scheme. Should he eliminate the mental errors from last week and help the offense sustain drives, the Lions may find their answer with time to spare.

Who do you think will emerge as the Lions’ starting left guard to open the regular season? Let us know in the comments section below. Follow us on Twitter at @SideLionReport and on our Facebook page.