The Detroit Lions opened their 2026 preseason slate against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field, featuring a turbulent start that included an early strip-sack touchdown and a 50-yard quarterback keeper by Josh Dobbs before settling into roster evaluations.
Early Turnovers and Defensive Stands in Detroit
The preseason opener at Ford Field got off to a disastrous start for the Detroit Lions after the Commanders won the toss and deferred. On just the second play from scrimmage, Josh Dobbs held onto the ball too long before blitzing Amik Robertson delivered a strip-sack. The loose ball was recovered in the end zone by the Commanders for a touchdown less than a minute into the game, putting Detroit in an early 7-0 hole.
The offensive struggles continued on the next possession. Dobbs engineered a drive that picked up a first down, but committed a second critical turnover on third down. Failing to find an open receiver, he scrambled right and attempted a pass across his body that was intercepted by Commanders safety Quan Martin.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s starting defense—playing without Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell—stifled the Washington attack. A backfield pressure from Devin White forced an incomplete pass on first down, D.J. Wonnum recorded a sack on second down, and a subsequent draw play on third-and-20 forced a quick three-and-out.
Dobbs Settles In With a 50-Yard Touchdown Run
After shaking off the early mistakes, Dobbs found a rhythm. He threaded a tight pass to Cedrick Wilson for a 17-yard gain on third-and-5, then broke open the game for the Lions on a third-and-3 at midfield. Keeping the ball on a quarterback keeper, Dobbs raced down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown run, aided by perimeter blocking from receiver Tay Martin and an interior block from Tyler Conklin, tying the game at 7-7.
Subsequent quarterback changes brought Luke Altmyer into the game to start the second quarter. Altmyer absorbed a sack from Colby Sorsdal’s side of the field early on, but recovered by creating extra time on third down to find Conklin for an 18-yard completion. Though the drive advanced through catches from Jackson Meeks and tough short-yardage conversions by Raheem Blackshear and Jacob Saylors, a later sack stalled the possession and forced a punt under heavy defensive pressure.
Washington Visits Miami in Parallel Preseason Action
While the Lions hosted Washington in Detroit, the Commanders also faced the Miami Dolphins in a Friday night preseason matchup at Northwest Stadium on August 14, 2026. That contest followed a joint practice session in Ashburn earlier in the week, giving coaches an extended look at roster depth and bubble players.
Washington held out numerous regular contributors for the Miami trip, including quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and defensive lineman Daron Payne. With Marcus Mariota under center, the visitors orchestrated a scoring drive in the opening quarter before Mariota sustained an injury after completing a 22-yard corner route to Dyami Brown.
Hartman and Allen Spark the Commanders’ Offense
Following Mariota’s departure, Sam Hartman took over quarterback duties for Washington. Hartman connected with Treylon Burks on a 16-yard pass to convert a third-and-3, though the quarter ended with an interception by Dolphins cornerback Marco Wilson.
Washington’s defense maintained pressure as the game progressed. Defensive tackle Ricky Barber registered a sack against Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers, while safety Quan Martin hauled off an interception at the Miami 35-yard line.
Offensively, running back Robert Henry Jr. sparked a second-quarter surge with a 15-yard run followed by a 22-yard touchdown dash. Later in the half, Hartman directed an 11-play, 65-yard drive in just over two and a half minutes, setting up running back Kaytron Allen to record his first NFL touchdown on a short rush, pushing Washington ahead.
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