Will Jameson Williams play in the preseason opener vs. Giants?

The Detroit Lions will open their 2024 preseason Thursday night on the road against the New York Giants. Two days of joint practices, as overtly intense as they were in terms of extracurricular activity, will serve as a substitute for playing in the game for most (if not all) key players on both teams.

This is a big season for Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. Healthy and undistracted going into his third season, he has carried a strong run in OTAs right into training camp and the joint practices against the Giants. But his role, as the team's WR2, is locked in. That makes him someone on the risk side of the risk-reward equation when it comes to playing in preseason games.

When SiriusXM visited Lions' camp, head coach Dan Campbell named quarterback Jared Goff as someone who is (at least) unlikely to play in the preseason.

"The preseason is, it's a chance to really develop the young guys", Campbell said. "That's what I really see. And then, we've got some battles here that need to shake out in the preseason game. I think there's a good chance you're not going to see anybody that -- you could probably guess who those players are. I don't see Goff playing this preseason. I don't see Sewell. You can guess who those guys are. I think this is a chance to develop our young guys...."

Will Jameson Williams play Thursday night vs. Giants?

Campbell spoke along that same line, more specifically about the game against the Giants, earlier this week (h/t to Pride of Detroit).

“I’ve got a little bit of an idea,” coach Dan Campbell said of holding players out of their upcoming preseason game. “Certainly, some of the guys we know we’re going to count on during the season, I don’t necessarily see them playing, and if they do, not many reps. But our young guys are going to get a lot of (snaps) and developmental players are going to get a ton of these reps."

There hasn't been any specific reporting, or comments from Campbell, regarding some Lions' starters playing or not against the Giants. But the head coach's broad comments are plenty good enough on that front.

So it's simple. He may see some action in the preseason, but don't expect to see Williams in uniform on Thursday night.