Key Undecided Detroit Lions Position Battles Ahead of Commanders Game

With the Detroit Lions set to square off with the Washington Commanders in Saturday’s exhibition contest, multiple position battles remain undecided.

While some starting jobs appear to be taking shape, the Lions still have key decisions to make at center, backup quarterback and in the secondary.

Without further ado, here are four battles to keep close tabs on Saturday at Ford Field.

Center

With the injury to Cade Mays, the battle for the starting center gig is basically wide open.

So far in his absence, the majority of his reps have gone to both second-year pro Seth McLaughlin and veteran interior lineman Juice Scruggs. Guard Tate Ratledge could also be in the mix, but it's much more likely he ends up the team's starter at right guard.

It'll be interesting to see who he gets the majority of the snaps at the position in Saturday's preseason contest with the Commanders.

Backup QB

As Dan Campbell said earlier this week, the backup quarterback job is still an open competition. Undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer and veteran Josh Dobbs are currently battling for the job. And while Dobbs with his plethora of experience is the presumed favorite, I wouldn't go so far as to say he's the winner quite yet.

He will still need to prove he's the right guy for the job in practice and the preseason, including in his start Saturday against the Commanders. And I believe with enough reps, he will prove just that.

As for Altmyer, I believe the Lions will end up carrying him on their practice squad to begin the season.

Nickel

Veteran defensive back Roger McCreary and rookie Keith Abney II appear to be in lockstep for the nickel corner job. Although McCreary has struggled thus far in camp, I believe he's still the favorite to claim the job because of his prior NFL experience.

Don't count out Abney just yet, though, who impressed a week ago against the Bengals and has been one of the early standouts in camp. If he puts together another solid performance Saturday vs. Washington, he could very well supplant McCreary for the gig.

No. 2 CB

As much as Terrion Arnold proved to be unreliable in his stint in the Motor City, his release in June left Detroit with a sizable void on the outside opposite returning starter D.J. Reed.

At this present juncture, Campbell & Co. are still looking to plug the hole, with veteran defensive back Rock Ya-Sin and third-year pro Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as the most likely solutions.

Unfortunately, Rakestraw has struggled in camp thus far, and notably left last week's preseason tilt in Cincinnati with an injury and then exited practice this week prematurely with another physical ailment. Subsequently, his chances of capturing that No. 2 cornerback job have greatly diminished.

Because of such, I would presently pencil in Ya-Sin as the starter opposite Reed.

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