5 Detroit Lions players to watch during preseason opener vs. Giants
After two intense joint practices this week, to put it mildly, the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants will have their preseason opener on Thursday night. It's unlikely the fisticuffs that happened on Monday and a little bit on Tuesday carry into the game at all, with the fines the teams were given in mind, but it also can't be completely ruled out.
Jared Goff was prominently named by head coach Dan Campbell, but the Lions' starters will see little or no action on Thursday night. Other key players who are locked into roster spots won't be exposed to injury risk. So players competing for something will get plenty of run, and opportunity.
5. K Jake Bates
Bates' struggles in camp late last week seemed sure to push the Lions toward adding a kicker before the joint practices and the preseason opener against the Giants. But that did not happen, leaving Bates with a clear chance to establish himself as the guy who should be the Lions' kicker.
Colton Pouncy of The Athletic tallied Bates' work during Tuesday's joint practice.
Jake Bates at joint practice:
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 6, 2024
6/9 overall
Makes: 34, 37, 41, 44, 50, 53.
Misses: 46, 50, 50.
Right after Michael Badgley's season-ending injury, the Lions had four kickers in for a workout as Campbell said there was no hurry to sign someone. The runway Bates has been given to seize the job with no competition probably ends on Thursday night if he struggles, and it's fair to assume he'll get multiple field goal opportunities to show himself.