The Detroit Lions will play their second preseason game when they visit the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, August 8, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Following a 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game, the main question surrounds the possible presence of star quarterback Jared Goff.
Goff did not play against the Chargers, and his status as the starter against the Falcons remains uncertain. Several franchises across the league have chosen to keep their top players out of preseason games, and Detroit could either follow that trend or become the exception.
The Lions continue to view Goff as the face of a team that delivered excellent performances throughout last regular season but suffered a tough playoff defeat that ended their hopes of making a deep postseason run. The days leading up to the real action are a crucial time.
Is Goff playing today in Falcons vs Lions?
Goff is not in the game plan and will not play against the Falcons due to a tactical decision to preserve the Lionsâ top players during the preseason. Quarterback Hendon Hooker will play the first half of the game.
Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to playing the Washington Commanders during the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.
Kyle Allen will take over in the second half against the Falcons, while Goff will remain sidelined for a second straight game. Head coach Dan Campbell remains firm in his approach to avoid giving preseason reps to the teamâs starters.
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Starting slowly
Goff continues the recent trend of easing into the preseason at a slower pace. The 30-year-old quarterback is aiming to manage his workload and be in peak condition for the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. From the Lionsâ perspective, with a four-year, $212 million contract extension, the goal is also to avoid risking such a major investment.
