Lions vs. Saints Week 1 Tracker: Injury updates, predictions, storylines, and more

It's Thursday, September 10th, 2026. One full regular season game has already been played between last year's Super Bowl teams, and there's another game in Australia this evening. Football is officially back, as strange as that sounds considering it's not even Sunday.

Week 1 for the Detroit Lions is arriving in much normal fashion - a home game against the New Orleans Saints. The NFC South opponent shouldn't be underestimated or judged based on their 6-11 finish in 2025, although they will be banged up entering this game.

As for the Lions, they actually seem ready to run out a fairly healthy 53-man roster to open up their season, save for some key players missing on defense. Here, we'll track injuries, practice reports, expert predictions related to their Week 1 game, and storylines that fans need to have in mind for the game.

1. How to Watch Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 1
2. Detroit Lions injury report for Week 1
3. New Orleans Saints injury report for Week 1
4. Biggest Detroit Lions Storylines heading into Week 1
5. Predictions for Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints in Week 1

Last updated: September 9, 9:30pm EST

How to Watch Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Week 1

• Date: Sunday, September 13
• Time: 1:00pm EST
• TV Network: FOX Sports
• Announcers: Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (color commentary), Megan Olivi (sideline reporter)

Detroit Lions injury report for Week 1

New Orleans Saints injury report for Week 1

Biggest Detroit Lions Storylines heading into Week 1

First look at brand-new offensive line

At first glance, this contest was set to provide an excellent test of the Lions' new-look offensive line. Cam Jordan and Chase Young are a formidable duo off the edge, while players like Carl Granderson and Kaden Ellis can also threaten to put Jared Goff on his butt.

However, Jordan will be sitting out of this game, so it's unclear if Detroit's O-line will actually get as much pressure as it needs to become a diamond in this Week 1 contest. With him out, it'll be interesting to see if the Lions' tackle room gets tested as much as they should be. We'll be playing close attention specifically to the Lions' left guard room, where the team plans to rotate between Christian Mahogany and likely Ben Bartch.

The Lions will also have Juice Scruggs in at center in place of Cade Mays (hand), which could make or break the effectiveness of their run game.

Safety room without both starters

Detroit will be without Brian Branch (achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) to begin this season. In their place, the team will be starting veterans Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox, and rotating in Thomas Harper. All three have earned praise in recent weeks for the effort they've put into training camp to get up to starting speed, so we'll be keeping an eye on their effectiveness in this game.

Harper was key to the Lions' minor success defensively last season despite so many injuries ravaging the room, while Clark is a reliable tackler that could end up being a key starter in the secondary aside from D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin.

Jahmyr Gibbs' first game without 'Knuckles'

The Lions locked down 'Sonic' this offseason, as Gibbs signed a record-setting extension to remain with the team through 2030. He's expected to bear the brunt of the teams' ground game this season after they traded away 'Knuckles,' also known as David Montgomery, this offseason.

Isiah Pacheco is also starting the season on the IR, which leaves the team with no choice but to rotate in their remaining options at running back - Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki, and Jabari Small. Saylors had a great preseason, but that's a whole different beast to tackle compared to regular season snaps. Vaki, the Lions' RB pick from 2024, has yet to carve a steady role with the Lions' offense or special teams. This is a great opportunity for him to do so.

Gibbs, with an improved offensive line, should be a menace to handle on offense and under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Without an effective offensive line, we might see a start from Gibbs that's similar to his work from 2025 - great, but certainly not him playing at his full potential.

Drew Petzing's first game at OC for Lions

Speaking of Petzing, this'll be his debut with the Lions as their new offensive coordinator. Detroit is really hoping that this position doesn't become a revolving door due to how great of a job their OCs are doing (see: Ben Johnson) or because of how badly their time goes with the squad (see: John Morton).

Petzing was an effective coach with the Arizona Cardinals, helping to boost their run game until their offensive line and running back room began getting shellacked with injuries. He, alongside offensive line coach Hank Fraley, should work together to revitalize Detroit's ground game for Gibbs and the rest of the team.

We won't be overreacting to Petzing's first go-around with play calling for this Lions team, but you'd have to imagine he'll have some decent stuff cooked up with so many weapons at his disposal (and, a weakened Saints defense sans Jordan).

Predictions for Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints in Week 1

NFL Media Experts

• Jeremy Bergman: Lions
• Brooke Cersosimo: Lions
• Gennaro Filice: Lions
• Bobby Kownack: Lions
• Dan Parr: Lions

CBS Sports

• Pete Prisco: Lions
• Jared Dubin: Lions
• Ryan Wilson: Lions
• Tyler Sullivan: Lions
• Dave Richard: Lions
• Jamey Eisenberg: Lions

ESPN experts

• Matt Bowen: Lions
• Mike Clay: Lions
• Jeremy Fowler: Lions
• Dan Graziano: Lions
• Pamela Maldanado: Lions
• Eric Moody: Lions
• Jordan Reid: Lions
• Ben Solak: Lions
• Seth Wickersham: Lions

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