Bubble Watch: Several Lions training camp battles heat up on offense

The Detroit Lions aren’t even a full week into 2026 training camp, but we’ve already seen some surprises when it comes to the roster. The depth chart may not be exactly what we expected, and injuries have forced some roster reshuffling.

For Week 2 of our Roster Bubble series, it’s not surprising that there have been some significant shifts—although most are on defense. Today, let’s re-examine the players on the roster bubble on offense.

• Assumed in:Jared Goff

• NEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Josh Dobbs: 9 “IN votes
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• Luke Altmyer: 4 votes (up 4)

NEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Josh Dobbs: 9 “IN votes

With Teddy Bridgewater‘s retirement, the Lions suddenly have a very interesting backup quarterback competition. Most of us understandably have veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs winning the competition, but Erik Schlitt stands in sole defiance, picking rookie Luke Altmyer to win the battle. The other three Altmyer votes come from staffers who are choosing to carry three quarterbacks.

Admittedly, Altmyer has done enough to warrant consideration, but his performance in the preseason will likely be the biggest determinant of his future.

• Assumed in:Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco

• NEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Sione Vaki: 11 votes

• Jacob Saylors: 9 votes (no change)

• NEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Jabari Small: 0 votes

NEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Sione Vaki: 11 votes

NEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Jabari Small: 0 votes

We downgraded Sione Vaki from “assumed in” to “on the bubble” simply because of his injury. At this point, it’s unclear if his broken nose and poked eye will warrant a trip to the short-term IR, but no one is taking the bait yet. Instead, this Bubble Watch is a debate over whether the Lions will keep a fourth running back. Not only do most of us agree (9 of 11) that they will, but everyone is currently picking Saylors over Small.

• Assumed in:Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch

• Cedrick Wilson Jr.: 7 “IN” votes (down 3)

• Dominic Lovett: 6 votes (up 4)

• Tom Kennedy: 0 vote (no change)

Cedrick Wilson Jr.: 7 “IN” votes (down 3)

The WR 5/6 battle is really heating up. After a strong start to camp, veteran Cedrick Wilson has cooled off a little and is currently sidelined with an unknown absence. Lovett, meanwhile, is on the opposite trajectory. He started camp with some familiar struggles, but has started to come on in the last few practices with some increased opportunities. The staff is about as split as they can get:

• 4 have Lovett over Wilson

• 5 have Wilson over Lovett

• 2 have the Lions keeping both (6 total WRs)

2 have the Lions keeping both (6 total WRs)

OFF BUBBLE WATCH: Miles Kitselman (IR), Anthony Firkser (IR)

Tyler Conklin: 11 “IN” votes (no change)

NEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Thomas Gordon (0 votes)

It’s been an injury-filled camp for the tight end position. Sam LaPorta is still working his way back. Tyler Conklin is just now seeing the field for the first time since camp opened. And last week, the Lions lost two linebackers to injuries that landed them on IR (Kitselman, Firkser). As a result, Conklin’s spot on the roster feels safer than ever, but Jackson Meeks is starting to get warranted consideration for Detroit keeping a fourth tight end.

While Meeks has had an up-and-down camp, I’ve started to see some growth, and I do wonder if Detroit is still considering playing a high amount of 13 personnel, which would almost certainly require a fourth rostered tight end.

• Assumed in: Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Larry Borom

• Colby Sorsdal: 0 votes (no change)

• Devin Cochran: 0 votes (no change)

Assumed in: Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Larry Borom

None of the staff believes Detroit would be warranted in keeping a fourth offensive tackle, and the top three are firmly set. Miles Frazier‘s ability to kick outside will make it hard for Sorsdal or Cochran to warrant a spot on the 53-man roster.

• Assumed in: Tate Ratledge, Cade Mays, Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier

• Ben Bartch: 11 votes (no change)

• Juice Scruggs: 11 votes (up 1)

• Seth McLaughlin: 0 votes

• Michael Niese: 0 votes

We haven’t seen many changes to the interior offensive line predictions all camp, but I wonder if that could change soon. For one, Scruggs has been sidelined a few practices for undisclosed reasons. It remains unclear if he’s dealing with a serious injury or not.

Then there’s Bartch. He missed nearly two weeks of training camp and is just now starting to get worked into some team drills. But coach Dan Campbell offered some mixed feelings on Bartch in his Sunday press conference.

“I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t hopeful he would have been out there more than now, but I also know there’s no setbacks, anything like that and he’s a veteran guy,” Campbell said. “From what we know about him and the short time we’ve been around him, he’s a guy that, it means something to him. He’s smart, he’s conscientious, all those things.”

“… There’s a reason he’s here, we think he brings outstanding competition. He’s got a shot, but certainly he’s behind the mark. I mean, he’s missed some days and that’s just part of coming off an injury. That’s the hand you’re dealt.”

The problem is that there has not been a clear reserve beyond Bartch that has stuck out for good reasons.