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Jackson Meeks' Strong Preseason Showing Could Complicate Lions Roster Picture
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- Jackson Meeks' Strong Preseason Showing Could Complicate Lions Roster Picture
The Detroit Lions tallied their first preseason victory of the new league year on Saturday, defeating the Washington Commanders by a score of 17-13 at home.
Despite a rough start, including two early turnovers from quarterback Josh Dobbs, a lost fumble that resulted in a touchdown and an interception, Detroit rebounded and put together solid performances on both sides of the ball.
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There were plenty of standouts from Saturday afternoon's win , but tight end Jackson Meeks was a major difference-maker, and his rise could lead to some difficult roster decisions for head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes.
Jackson Meeks is Building a Compelling Case
Aug 2, 2026; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks (13) gets off the line of scrimmage during Detroit Lions training camp at Meijer Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Paul Barnick-Imagn Images
Meeks was arguably the best player on the field for the Lions against the Commanders. The Syracuse product led Detroit in receptions (four) and yards (33), and made a critical special-teams play in the fourth quarter by forcing a fumble on a kickoff. The 23-year-old also earned a 69.6 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus .
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It's taken some time for Meeks to get used to his new position, but he's flourishing now and building a strong case for a roster spot. Detroit's tight end room is filled with veteran talent behind Sam LaPorta in Brock Wright and Tyler Conklin, so Meeks has had an uphill battle for a spot.
However, he's strung together productive practices and a fantastic showing on Saturday at Ford Field, so we can't count Meeks out. His special-teams ability could lead to the Lions retaining four tight ends.
Meeks needs to stand out in the final week of practice and the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts next Saturday to put himself in a position to qualify for the roster. But his stock rose significantly, and he could make Detroit rethink its roster decisions during final cuts on Aug. 30.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
