The Detroit Lions are not messing around with their roster cuts, because undrafted rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer just got waived! NFL insider Tom Pelissero broke the news, confirming that with the Sunday, August 30th cutdown deadline looming, the Lions have made their choice. It means veteran Josh Dobbs is officially stepping in as the backup to starter Jared Goff.
The QB Battle Is OVER
Altmyer might have shown some flashes, even “acquitting himself well” during training camp and the preseason, but it looks like it wasn’t enough to snag a spot on the 53-man roster. You gotta deliver when it counts, right? In the finale against the Indianapolis Colts, Altmyer went 7-for-11 passing for just 55 yards. Ouch. He also threw an interception and coughed up a fumble. That’s a tough stat line to shake off. Meanwhile, Dobbs made sure to leave a lasting impression, throwing for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 15-for-19 passing in that same game. Talk about seizing the moment!
So Close, Yet So Far
Overall, Altmyer, who was a three-year starter at Illinois, finished his three preseason appearances for Detroit with 29-for-46 passing for 271 yards. He had one touchdown but also three interceptions and two fumbles. Remember that door that opened up when Teddy Bridgewater suddenly retired earlier in camp? It felt like Altmyer really had a shot to make his case. He showed “steady growth” and even played “relatively clean” in the first two games. But those mistakes, like that self-inflicted fumble in the preseason opener against the Bengals, really sting. And yeah, he had two picks against the Bengals too, though one bounced off a wide receiver’s facemask and the other was deep in their own territory late in the game. Sometimes it’s the little things that add up, you know?
What’s Next for Altmyer
So, where does this leave Altmyer? If he clears waivers, the Lions have a plan to keep him around, placing him on the practice squad. They definitely want to keep overseeing his development. For now, though, Detroit rolls with Goff and Dobbs. It’s a clear signal from the Lions as the regular season gets real.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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