At long last, football is back.
The Lions kick off the preseason versus the Patriots Thursday night at Ford Field, their first step toward redemption after a disappointing 2018 campaign. Don't expect to see many starters take the field, certainly none of the big names like Matthew Stafford, Kerryon Johnson or Darius Slay.
But, as always this time of year, there will be meaningful snaps for rookies and bubble players trying to boost their stock ahead of the season.
Here are five such players to watch.
It'd be hard to imagine Hockenson getting off to a better start than the one he has. The eighth overall pick, whose arrival was met with all kinds of skepticism, has been a beast from day one. Catch after catch, he's starting to quiet some of the critics. He stood out against his teammates to kick off training camp, then he stood out against the Patriots during practices this week. If he stands out some more Thursday night, Hockenson will fuel the hype train further.
178 picks after Hockenson came off the board, the Lions nabbed Johnson. The running back from Maryland can flat-out fly. He's flashed his big-play ability in training camp, and he's proven to be a capable pass-catcher, too. Behind Kerryon Johnson and C.J. Anderson, opportunities abound in the Lions' backfield. With a strong performance Thursday night, Johnson can strengthen his case to be part of that group this season.
The Lions like Powell, that much seems clear. The undrafted free agent from Florida played his way onto the roster last preseason, then saw action in six games in the regular season. He's got sure hands and quick feet in the slot, and he's a threat as a returner. The question is how/where Powell fits into the picture. He's one of a handful of wide receivers fighting for a couple roster spots, and needs yet another strong preseason to lock one down.