How to watch Lions vs Commanders in the USA

Fubo and NFL+ are the options to watch the game in the U.S. NFL+ provides live out-of-market preseason games, although local blackout restrictions can apply. Fubo also carries NFL programming.

Can I watch Lions vs Commanders for free?

Eligible new Fubo subscribers can watch Lions vs. Commanders for free through the 5-day free trial. The platform offers a free-trial option and carries NFL Network, although the exact trial duration and availability can vary by plan.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL preseason, so the result will not affect the regular-season standings. Instead, the matchup is an important evaluation opportunity with both teams looking to define their rosters before the regular season.

Washington enters the game 1-0 after beating the Miami Dolphins 20-7, while Detroit is 0-1 after a narrow 16-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. For Detroit, Saturday is expected to be a more revealing test than the preseason opener.

Dan Campbell plans to play a significant number of starters, giving players such as Jared Goff and other key contributors an opportunity to get live repetitions before the regular season. The Lions also have several roster battles to monitor, particularly at interior offensive line, slot cornerback and backup quarterback.

Washington has its own important decisions to make, particularly at quarterback and across a defense dealing with several injuries. Jayden Daniels‘ availability remains a major storyline, while Marcus Mariota is expected to miss the remainder of the preseason with an MCL injury.

The Commanders are nevertheless expected to play some of their starters against Detroit, making this a valuable opportunity for the first-team units to gain preseason reps.

What time is the Lions vs Commanders match?

The Lions vs. Commanders game kicks off on Saturday, August 22, at 12:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 12:00 PM ET
• Central Time: 11:00 AM CT
• Mountain Time: 10:00 AM MT
• Pacific Time: 9:00 AM PT

How to watch Commanders vs. Dolphins in the USA

The Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders preseason game will be available on NBC, while viewers can also use NFL+ and Fubo to stream the matchup.

Can I watch Commanders vs. Dolphins for free?

Fubo offers a 5-day free-trial option for eligible new subscribers, providing a potential way to watch the game without paying for the first period of service.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Washington Commanders vs. Miami Dolphins preseason opener comes after a joint practice that gave both coaching staffs an early look at how their rosters respond to outside competition.

Washington’s Jayden Daniels was one of the biggest standouts, connecting consistently with Stefon Diggs, Chig Okonkwo and Treylon Burks while finding success in the red zone. The Commanders’ defense also created constant pressure, including a sack by K’Lavon Chaisson on Malik Willis and a pick-six by Mike Sainristil.

For Miami, the preseason opener is particularly important because Willis is expected to start as the Dolphins begin a new era under head coach Jeff Hafley. The quarterback will get his first game action with the team after signing a three-year, $67.5 million contract following his 2025 season with Green Bay.

The Dolphins also have several roster battles that could make Friday’s game especially significant. Miami’s first unofficial depth chart lists Jacob Rodriguez and Tyrel Dodson as co-starters at middle linebacker, while Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips are competing for the starting defensive tackle spot alongside Zach Sieler. However, Sieler is expected to miss the game after being listed as week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.

What time is the Commanders vs. Dolphins match?

The Commanders vs. Dolphins game kicks off Friday, August 14, at 7:00 PM ET at Northwest Stadium. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:00 PM
• Central Time: 6:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:00 PM

According to JP Finlay of NBC Sports, it’s highly unlikely that Jayden Daniels will play vs Miami Dolphins. This comes after a very hectic 36 hours for Daniels. Jayden Daniels is in the middle of a controversy where he feels disrespected by LSU. However, per Finlay, that controversy has nothing to do with Daniels not playing.

On the flip side, Malik Willis will actually play for the Dolphins vs. Commanders. Jayden Daniels is coming off a very bad sophomore year where he didn’t play well and suffered a lot of injuries as well.

Jayden Daniels’ preseason stats

Given that 2024 was his rookie year, Daniels did manage to log some preseason stats. However, after a stellar rookie season, he was pretty much rested throughout the 2025 season by the Commanders and he is scheduled to play a minimal role this year.

Commanders’ preseason schedule

The Commanders will be on the road quite a lot during the 2026 NFL Preseason. Facing two AFC teams, the Commanders will face the Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. The only NFC foe will be the Detroit Lions.

During Wednesday’s presser, Miami Dolphins’ new head coach Jeff Hafley confirmed Malik Willis will play vs Commanders. This might prove to be the best decision as Willis has been a backup throughout his whole career. These reps could be very valuable for Willis.

Jayden Daniels playing status vs Dolphins is also confirmed. However, Daniels and Willis face very different situations. Daniels’ focus is to stay healthy and keep his level up. Meanwhile, Willis needs to prove he is QB1 caliber.

Malik Willis’ preseason stats

Given that he’s been a backup for the majority of his career, Willis has been an active preseason performer. Hence, he is used to get plenty of reps in preseason as part of the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers.

Dolphins’ preseason schedule

Miami will face three NFC teams during the 2026 NFL Preseason. Two of those games will be at home, so at least the Dolphins get to save traveling time. Now, it’s up to them to prove they have what it takes to be a competitive team in the NFL.

“He did injure his triceps, he is going to get surgery,” the head coach said. “It’s always tough to talk about a player missing time, especially a great player like LT. . . . We’ll know more post-surgery on timelines and all that good stuff.”

One of the most impactful left tackles in the NFC will be sidelined for an extended period, which could become a major headache for Jayden Daniels. With a tough schedule ahead, having him back as soon as possible will be crucial, but only if he is at full strength to avoid any setbacks.

How much will the Commanders lose without Tunsil?

The loss of Laremy Tunsil is a massive blow to the Commanders‘ offensive line. In 2025, Tunsil anchored the left side across 14 starts (802 offensive snaps), posting an elite 88.9 PFF pass-blocking grade (ranking 2nd among all qualified tackles) while allowing just 2 sacks and 15 total pressures.

Losing his premier blindside protection severely compromises Jayden Daniels‘ pocket stability, leaving the young quarterback far more vulnerable as he returns from an injury-plagued season and forcing Washington to navigate 2026 without its most reliable pass blocker.

Daniels’ protectors

Following Tunsil’s injury, Dan Quinn confirmed that third-year lineman Brandon Coleman will shift back to left tackle, the position he manned as a rookie in 2024. Coleman’s move opens up left guard for Chris Paul, who secures the starting spot after competing for interior snaps throughout the 2026 training camp.

The rest of Washington’s projected Week 1 starting unit remains intact, featuring veteran Nick Allegretti at center, staple Sam Cosmi holding down right guard, and second-year tackle Josh Conerly Jr. starting at right tackle.

According to Mike Garafolo, the injury occurred during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills and could require surgery. Tunsil is expected to miss at least a significant portion of the regular season, leaving Washington with a major problem on the offensive line.

The timing is particularly concerning because the Commanders are trying to bounce back from a 2025 season that was heavily affected by injuries, including the loss of star quarterback Jayden Daniels. With Daniels now back and expected to lead the offense, losing one of the team’s most important blockers is a significant setback.

How serious is Laremy Tunsil’s injury?

Mike Garafolo reported the initial details of Tunsil’s injury: “Commanders five-time Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil suffered a torn triceps in practice today during 1-on-1 pass-rush drills. He’ll likely require surgery and will miss at least a significant portion of the regular season.”

The injury immediately creates uncertainty surrounding Tunsil’s availability for the beginning of the season. A torn triceps that requires surgery could keep the veteran tackle out for an extended period, forcing Washington to find another solution at left tackle.

Tunsil has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier offensive linemen throughout his career. Before joining Washington, he spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans, earning five Pro Bowl selections along the way.

Laremy Tunsil injury creates problem for Jayden Daniels

The Commanders were hoping that getting Daniels back healthy would help them regain the momentum they showed before injuries disrupted their 2025 campaign. Instead, Washington now has another major concern on the offensive side of the ball.

Protecting Daniels will be one of the team’s biggest priorities in 2026. The young quarterback’s ability to stay healthy and operate confidently in the pocket could be critical to Washington’s chances of competing in the NFC. Losing Tunsil makes that task considerably more difficult.

The Commanders still have time to find a replacement or adjust their offensive-line rotation, but replacing a five-time Pro Bowl left tackle is never an easy task. For now, Tunsil’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, and his injury has become one of the biggest concerns surrounding Washington heading into the 2026 season.

Behind them on the depth chart are Jaylin Lane, Treylon Burks, and Antonio Williams. As the third group of options, the Commanders have Van Jefferson, Dyami Brown, and finally Jacoby Jones.

Dan Quinn has done an excellent job surrounding Daniels with talent in his third year as an NFL player. The Commanders want to establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC East, who will have these wide receivers at their disposal.

Diggs’ great 2025 season in Foxborough

During his single season with the New England Patriots in 2025, the veteran wide receiver delivered solid production, recording 85 receptions for 1,013 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns across 17 regular-season games.

Now joining the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal for the 2026 season, Diggs looks to carry that momentum to his new team, aiming to replicate his 1,000-yard form and serve as a reliable veteran pass-catching threat alongside Terry McLaurin in Washington’s offense.

Daniels relies on his receivers

Jayden Daniels relies heavily on his passing attack to push the offense downfield, showcasing composure in the pocket and a strong ability to process defenses. In a 2025 season where his action was limited to 7 games, Daniels completed 114 of 188 passes (60.6% completion rate) for 1,262 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, posting an 88.1 passer rating as the primary facilitator of Washington’s air game.

What exactly happened with Steele? According to Virginia court records, the tight ends coach was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in the first days of June. Additionally, it was reported that he refused a blood or breath test and was charged with obstructing or resisting an officer without force, meaning he also faces charges related to that situation.

The Athletic reporter Nicki Jhabvala also reported through X that the Washington Commanders let Ben Steele go due to a violation of team policy. Finally, she added that Dan Quinn himself will announce Steele’s replacement on Tuesday, July 28.

Who could be the next TE coach for the Commanders?

Ben Steele’s dismissal from his position now leaves the question of who will take over during the 2026 NFL season to coach a department that head coach Dan Quinn is putting a lot of effort into developing.

Although the natural replacement will be announced in the coming hours, according to NBC 4 Sports journalist JP Finlay, Wes Welker (Offensive Assistant) coached tight ends during the Commanders’ latest minicamp. Could he ultimately be an option for the position?

Dan Quinn’s top assistants

Dan Quinn has trusted these coaches to accompany him through what will undoubtedly be a highly competitive season, not only in the NFC East but throughout the entire league.

• David Blough – Offensive Coordinator
• Bobby Engram – Wide Receivers Coach
• Anthony Lynn – Running Backs Coach
• Darnell Stapleton – Offensive Line Coach
• D.J. Williams – Quarterbacks Coach
• Daronte Jones – Defensive Coordinator
• Larry Izzo – Special Teams Coordinator

Commanders are already thinking about next season

The 2026 NFL training camp is the toughest stage of preparation for teams around the league, and it is where the foundation for what will come in Week 1 begins to take shape. Dan Quinn is waiting for his veteran players on Tuesday, July 28, when they will join the rookies at Commanders Park in Ashburn, Virginia.

Hence, now Diego Pavia’s future in the NFL is quite blurry. He is seriously undersized for the position. Furthermore, he doesn’t have the best of reputations as to his personality and leadership.

Hence, for a guy with plenty of off-field history and being just 5’10”, Pavia really might see his NFL career end before it even starts. But, there are some paths for him to stay in the league after being waved by the Ravens.

Pavia’s potential fits in the NFL

Since Pavia was released before training camp began, his options now center on either finding an immediate camp/practice squad fit in the NFL. The alternative is to look for a spot in alternative professional leagues.

First and foremost, the stage is clear: Pavia must find an NFL practice squad or be available as an emergency depth QB. His best NFL fit would be with a team utilizing heavy spread/RPO or mobile QB concepts that needs a scout-team dual-threat passer.

Two teams could serve as Pavia’s destinations

Both the Eagles and Commanders as teams with established mobile quarterbacks. The two teams regularly look for mobile scout-team passers during the season to give their defense realistic practice looks.

Still, Pavia would be more of a training quarterback rather than a real possibility off the bench to enter the field. Also, Pavia should be trying to get a new team as soon as possible. An impressive showing in the NFL preseason could raise his stock for the future.

Daniels was named the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year following an outstanding debut campaign. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate those jaw-dropping performances in 2025, as nagging injuries repeatedly derailed his sophomore season.

Ahead of his third year, Daniels knows that maintaining his health is the ultimate priority. He will be working under brand-new offensive coordinator David Blough this season, with the hope that a revamped scheme will better protect him and maximize his longevity on the field.

“I love the offense. I love what Blough’s doing,” Jayden Daniels told reporters Wednesday. “I love how he’s creating, designing different things. And we’ll go from there, but for me, personally, it’s just how can I get better as a football player? But the passion didn’t change. It made it more kind of, like, I guess, a miserable feeling not being able to go out there and do what I’ve got to do on a daily basis with having setbacks.”

The highly unpredictable NFC East

In recent days, Bolavip spoke with New York Giants legend Raul Allegre about the state of the division. The two-time Super Bowl champion remarked that the NFC East is completely wide open for all four franchises—and his assessment couldn’t be more accurate.

The Philadelphia Eagles are navigating the departure of several key stars alongside major staff changes this offseason. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys are still adjusting to Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive system while breaking in a new defensive coordinator. To add to the chaos, the Giants have completely altered their trajectory by hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach.

These shifting dynamics, coupled with the Commanders promoting David Blough to offensive coordinator, set the stage for a highly volatile divisional race. While Philadelphia enters the year as the nominal favorite, no club has a clear, uncontested path to the crown.

Commanders face the loss of a key offensive weapon

While Washington successfully stabilized a cornerstone of their passing game by locking up star wideout Terry McLaurin with a three-year, $97 million extension in 2025, the offense will still look noticeably different this fall.

Deebo Samuel will not be returning to the Commanders for the 2026 season. The front office ultimately opted against offering the versatile playmaker a contract extension this offseason, leaving him as an unrestricted free agent still searching for his next destination.

Quinn appeared on the Rich Eisen Show and also said Styles’ “unique traits” will allow the Commanders to use him in a plethora of roles. That could include using the green dot on the helmet.

“He is definitely capable of that [using the green dot]. It’s one of the nice things now with the guys already doing that in college,” Quinn said. The fact is that Quinn needs to solve the defensive issues of the team, and Styles goes a long way in helping him do that.

What is the green dot for?

One player on defense gets a green dot on his helmet. That means he is the player in charge of relaying the team’s defensive plans to the rest of the team. The green dot indicates he is the one that hears the play calls from coaches.

Throughout the whole draft process, everyone praised Styles’ high football IQ, instincts, versatility, dedication to film study and elite athleticism. Also, he used the green dot during his Ohio State days.

The Commanders need the best Styles possible

Washington brought Dan Quinn two seasons ago in hopes of uplifting the franchise, especially on the defensive side. While the first year was great in terms of achievements, as the team went to the NFC Championship Game, the defense didn’t work exactly great.

In 2024, the Commanders defense ranked 13th in total defense. Even worse, in 2025, the Commanders were the absolute worst, ranking dead-last in total yards allowed in the NFL. Hence, the Commanders really need Styles to go big-time as they try go back into the good times.