NFL Preseason Week 2: Lions, Commanders Both Facing Offensive Line Trouble

DETROIT —

The Detroit Lions beat the Washington Commanders 17-13 at Ford Field on Saturday, but the win did little to settle the biggest question hanging over both teams: whether their offensive lines are ready for the regular season, according to ESPN.

Detroit's line allowed five sacks between quarterbacks Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer, including three to Altmyer on a single drive and a strip-sack on the Lions' opening possession, Yahoo Sports reported. That fumble set up a Washington touchdown just 51 seconds into the game, when tackle Larry Borom was beaten off the edge and Dobbs never saw the blitzing defender who forced the ball loose. Detroit rebounded behind a 50-yard rushing touchdown from Dobbs and 36 yards on 10 carries from running back Trayveon Williams, and rookie defensive linemen Derrick Moore and Skyler Gill-Howard each had strong debuts, with Moore recording a strip-sack and Gill-Howard adding a tackle for loss, according to Yahoo Sports. General Manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell made rebuilding the line a top priority this offseason after a rough 2025 season, but ESPN's Eric Woodyard wrote that Saturday's game raised as many questions as it answered, especially with All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell out and center Cade Mays sidelined by a wrist injury.

Washington's Depth Problem

The Commanders have a tougher issue: depth. ESPN's John Keim reported that Washington isn't sure it has nine linemen on the roster worth keeping, let alone a plan at backup center. Presumed starter Nick Allegretti has been limited to two practices all summer because of a calf injury, leaving the job to Julian Good-Jones, who has played just two career snaps since entering the league in 2020, or rookie Matt Gulbin. Keim wrote that Washington will likely keep looking for interior line help before final cuts.

Quarterback Battles Take Shape Elsewhere

Other teams used Week 2 to sort out backup jobs. The New York Jets got a modest look at rookie Cade Klubnik, who went 10 for 14 for 75 yards but failed to reach the end zone, and ESPN's Rich Cimini wrote the team will likely name him Geno Smith's backup regardless. In Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph appears to have locked up the No. 2 quarterback job without playing, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, after Will Howard struggled and rookie Drew Allar couldn't repeat his strong preseason opener, a result that may force the Steelers to trim numbers elsewhere on the roster to keep four quarterbacks.

Both the Lions and Commanders have one more preseason game before the NFL's roster cut-down deadline on August 30. Detroit plays at Indianapolis on Saturday, and Washington visits Baltimore on Friday.