The Detroit Lions’ second preseason game of the 2026 season is officially in the books, and if you were hoping for clarity on the backup quarterback job, you are going to be disappointed. Both Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer showed flashes, but neither guy truly grabbed the job by the throat against the Washington Commanders on Saturday.
The QB2 Race: Still Too Close To Call
We saw a classic mixed bag from the reserve signal callers. Josh Dobbs got the starting nod and, man, those first two drives were rough, with turnovers hitting hard. But then the guy flipped a switch, ripping off a 50-yard read-option touchdown on the third drive and settling right in after that. Luke Altmyer had his own struggles, getting sacked three times on his opening drive, which is never a good look. Yet, he too found his rhythm once the Lions’ rushing attack got going. This game was supposed to separate them, to give us a clear QB2, but it just made things more murky. Both showed promise, both made glaring mistakes, and the competition looks wide open with neither truly seizing the opportunity.
Running Backs Went Wild, But One Guy REALLY Stood Out
While the quarterback situation is a mess, the running back room brought some serious heat. Jacob Saylors, who got the start and is probably still in the lead for the RB4 job, proved he is a steady runner who can power through pads, find daylight, and cut back with balance. But after Saturday, his competition just got real. Jabari Small, who came into the game as Saylors’ biggest challenger with his power and quickness, took a brutal hit, suffering a concussion on just his sixth snap. With cutdowns coming in only a week, that is just brutal timing for an injury.
Then there is Trayveon Williams. This guy was arguably the most impressive runner on the field. He brought the whole package: wiggle, burst, decisiveness, and vision. He did not just run 10 times for 36 yards and a touchdown; he also caught a screen pass and took it for 24 yards. Get this: Williams, by himself, outrushed the *entire* Washington offense. That is insane! Raheem Blackshear had the lowest production with 2.6 yards per carry, but you gotta look at the context. He was asked to run into a stacked box when the Commanders knew a run was coming. He still managed to grind out eight yards on three straight runs and get what was needed on fourth-and-two to run out the clock.
This Lions squad has some serious decisions to make before cutdown day. With only a week left, every rep and every play matters. The QB2 job needs an answer, and the running back room is absolutely stacked, making those final roster spots an absolute dogfight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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