DAILYREPORT

🦁 Top Story

The Lions lost their preseason opener to Cincinnati on Aug. 13, but the real action is still ahead. Coach Dan Campbell said that they plan to rest many of their starters in this game, so the loss is a non-factor. What matters now: An injury to center Cade Mays has added another wrinkle to offensive line battles for right tackle and left guard, potentially reshaping the starting five just weeks before the regular season.

📰 Headlines

• The Lions announced their FOX broadcast crew for 2026 preseason, featuring Jason Benetti on play-by-play, T.J. Lang as color analyst, and Patti Cesarini as sideline reporter. For the Lions' first preseason game, Benetti was unavailable and was replaced by Jack Kizer.

• The latest episode of the Daily DLP from the Detroit Lions Podcast reviews training camp sessions from Monday, August 10th and Tuesday, August 11th, offering a deep dive into the sights and sounds from the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park.

• The Detroit Lions' offensive line is looking to get back to elite status in 2026, with new center Cade Mays anchoring the unit as he works with Jared Goff to identify looks and get proper checks.

• Longtime left tackle Taylor Decker and center Graham Glasgow are out; in come former Panthers center Cade Mays and rookie right tackle Blake Miller, with Mays filling the vacancy from Glasgow while Miller allows All-Pro Penei Sewell to shift to left tackle.

🎙️ Podcast & Media Picks

• Daily DLP (Detroit Lions Podcast) — Training camp recap from August 10–11, diving into practice observations from the Meijer Performance Center. Available on Apple Podcasts and the official Lions podcast feed.

📊 Season Watch: Trenches Rebuild

Detroit was still a top-five scoring offense and top-five overall offense last season, and if the offensive line takes the kind of step forward the Lions think it can, this offense can be special considering the skill weapons they have. But the injury to center Cade Mays has thrown another wrench into their offensive line plans, forcing the coaching staff to manage multiple competitions simultaneously. The additions should equate to a net positive for the Lions' offensive line, which took a step back a season ago both in run-blocking and protecting veteran quarterback Jared Goff. Watch how quickly Mays returns and whether young players like Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany can stabilize the unit before September.

🗓️ Lions History & All-Time Greats

27 years ago this week, Barry Sanders was still writing the script.

Barry Sanders rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions (1989–1998)—a feat he was the first running back ever to accomplish. The elusive rusher topped out at 2,053 rushing yards in 1997, making him one of only three players ever to break the 2,000-yard mark. In the franchise's only playoff win during the Super Bowl era, against Dallas after the 1991 season, he rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 30 yards. Yet he walked away on top of his game, retiring on the eve of training camp before the 1999 season—needing just 1,458 yards to break the all-time rushing record.

Detroit Lions All-Time Career Rushing Leaders:

1. Barry Sanders — 15,269 yards
2. Billy Sims — 5,106 yards
3. Dexter Bussey — 5,105 yards
4. Altie Taylor — 4,817 yards
5. Mel Farr — 3,072 yards
6. James Stewart — 2,890 yards
7. Doak Walker — 2,646 yards
8. Theo Riddick — 2,238 yards
9. Kevin Jones — 2,067 yards
10. Jahmyr Gibbs — ~2,300+ yards (active, total rising)

🔮 What to Watch

• Cade Mays' recovery timeline — The Lions need their new center back on the field to solidify the trenches before Week 1. Keep an eye on training camp participation reports over the next two weeks.

• Left guard competition heating up — There's expected to be good competition for the starting left guard spot, with Mahogany the favorite to begin camp, but Bartch bringing veteran experience. The Bengals game showed who's in the mix; watch the next preseason matchup (Indianapolis on Aug. 29) for clearer starters' reps.

• Blake Miller vs. Larry Borom at right tackle — The Lions currently have veteran Larry Borom listed ahead of rookie Blake Miller at right tackle, but Miller has taken his fair share of first-team reps and is being viewed with a realistic chance at starting the opener.