- Lions’ top 2025 draft picks, Tyleik Williams and Tate Ratledge, will also not play.
- The Lions have three more preseason games scheduled before their season opener against the Packers on September 7th.
The Detroit Lions are set to square off against the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL preseason opener on Thursday, July 31, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, and both teams are keeping their starting quarterbacks out to avoid injury.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff will not play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, as three preseason games are still on the schedule before the start of the regular season.
Backup quarterbacks Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen are expected to lead the Lions offense.
Goff finished second in passing yards last season (4,475) and fourth in passing touchdowns (30).
Additionally, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will not play as Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh announced that that “veteran traditional starters” won’t play in Thursday’s game, according to the team’s website.
Trey Lance will start at quarterback for the first half of the game while rookie DJ Uigalelei is set to take second-half snaps.
In 2024, Herbert threw for 3,870 yards, ninth most that season. He also finished 12th in passing touchdowns (23).
Coach Dan Campbell also announced that the Lions top two draft picks from the 2025 draft, Tyleik Williams and Tate Ratledge, will not play.
Detroit Lions preseason schedule
The Lions will visit Atlanta for a game against the Falcons on Aug. 8. The final two home games will take place at Ford Field in Detroit against the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 16 and against the Houston Texans on Aug. 23, both Saturday 1 p.m. games.
The Detroit Lions open the season on Sunday, Sep. 7, at the Green Bay Packers. The game is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. on Fox.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
