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The Detroit Lions secured their first preseason victory of the summer on Saturday, defeating the Washington Commanders 17-13. The game provided valuable opportunities for roster hopefuls to demonstrate their capabilities while giving projected starters a chance to showcase their potential heading into the regular season. Head coach Dan Campbell and his coaching staff now face difficult decisions regarding the final roster composition.
Detroit’s defensive unit stood out as a particularly impressive unit during the contest. The Lions held Washington to just 35 rushing yards on 17 attempts while generating two sacks and six quarterback hits. Cornerback D.J. Reed delivered a standout performance, earning a 77.7 overall defensive grade despite relinquishing only one reception for six yards across 15 coverage snaps. Reed also contributed four tackles and two tackles for loss during his time on the field, providing encouragement for a secondary dealing with multiple injuries.
On the offensive side, second-year guard Tate Ratledge continued to demonstrate promise for Detroit’s rebuilt offensive line. Ratledge received a 76.7 overall grade and an impressive 72.0 run-blocking grade after a clean performance that included no quarterback pressures, hits, or sacks. Defensively, rookie edge rusher Derrick Moore and undrafted linebacker Erick Hunter also turned heads. Moore posted a 70.9 overall grade highlighted by a strip-sack, while Hunter impressed with an 87.0 grade despite limited snaps, recovering a crucial fumble on special teams coverage.
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Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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