5 Winners, 4 Losers From Commanders’ Preseason Loss to Lions

The Washington Commanders' 17-13 loss to the Detroit Lions was meaningless in the record books and priceless for roster evaluation. There were some good signs and some bad ones. The team also exposed a problem or two in the running game and several roster competitions. Some players were able to capitalize on the cases they had already built in camp, while others failed to take advantage of the opportunities they got. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn certainly got some meaningful film on Saturday.

Winners

Athan Kaliakmanis

Saturday gave Athan Kaliakmanis the strongest evidence that the rookie deserves the competition he has with Sam Hartman for Washington's third spot behind Marcus Mariota. On the day, Kaliakmanis was 11-of-14 passing for 162 yards, with no turnovers and a 114.9 passer rating. It should be noted that he also took no sacks from behind an offensive line filled with replacements. The three longest plays of the day Saturday came from Kaliakmanis' passes: one to Nick Nash for 55 yards, Jaden Bradley for 30, and then another to Antonio Williams for 21. Kaliakmanis helped direct the team on an 11-play, 78-yard third-quarter scoring drive in which he looked the part.

Verdict: Kaliakmanis definitely helped his case, as there is no realistic way the team can ignore that he has a firmer grasp on playing quarterback than Sam Hartman does at this point in their respective careers.

Maurice Hurst II

At a time when the team is looking for a pass-rushing defensive tackle after Johnny Newton went down with an injury, Maurice Hurst jumps out with two sacks in the Lions game. The Commanders were without Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Dorance Armstrong, among others, on the defensive front.

Verdict: His possible depth status could see an increase in reps after two sacks.

Amik Robertson

Washington's first touchdown was a product of both Daronte Jones seeing the issue and the Lions leaving Amik Robertson unguarded on a blitz off the left edge. The contact on the quarterback created the fumble that ultimately Joshua Josephs recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Washington now has six takeaways through two preseason games, along with a better sense of how to create them, thanks to Jones' mentality through the scheme.

Verdict: Robertson may not be the biggest player on the field, but it's not always about the size of the dog. Sometimes, it's about the fight inside that dog. And from what I can see, Amik Robertson comes to play every down.

WHAT A START ‼️

📺 #WASvsDET @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/0MxloPVkd7
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 22, 2026

Jaden Bradley

While Jaden Bradley's roster chances are as slim as that room is deep on the depth chart, his performance Saturday was worth noting after bringing in two receptions on three targets for 42 yards, both on Washington's best offensive drive. Bradley also made a tremendous one-handed, 30-yard catch going to the ground while being held by the defender. Later in that same drive, Bradley grabbed a 12-yard reception and also recorded a special teams tackle in the game.

Verdict: He did not change the roster math with his performance, but he did make the bottom of that room a bit more uncomfortable as he brought attention to himself once more.

JADEN. BRADLEY.

📺 #WASvsDET @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/P3BjL7SG6A
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 22, 2026

Joshua Josephs

Joshua Josephs has been building on days since the summer started and is now becoming a player fans recognize as a developmental pass rusher with upside. Josephs was involved in the game's early drama after Amik Robertson created a fumble; Josephs recovered it in the end zone for the touchdown. Even after getting caught peeking too far into the backfield on Josh Dobbs' 50-yard read option run, he continues to find his way in and around the football.

Verdict: Joshua Josephs continues to be my surprise of camp and the draft so far. He is still ultra-raw, so the process may take a while to get him where he needs to be.

Losers

Robert Henry Jr.

No one had the complete opposite day from the opener quite like Robert Henry Jr. did against the Lions. After having 75 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphin, and that most of hte defenisve , Henry left Detroit with minus three yards on four attempts. The offensive line didn't help much with their run blocking either, but Henry also fumbled a kick return with Washington down four and getting the ball back for its final possession with 2:15 remaining.

Verdict: While the rushing total is bad, it could have been overlooked given the offensive line's issues, but the kickoff fumble is close to a fatal flaw with as much emphasis as these guys put on special teams and securing the football.

Julian Good-Jones

Julian Good-Jones has done more to hurt his situation over the last two weeks than to help, even with what is likely his career lying in his lap currently. In the first half, he allowed a linebacker through who likely should have gotten a sack, but Jayden Daniels was able to get rid of the ball fast enough to avoid it. In the second half, he false-started on third-and-10 during Kaliakmanis’ best drive, creating third-and-15 before the quarterback eventually bailed the offense out.

Verdict: It's still odd to me that Matt Gulbin isn't being given more of a shot at this position, at least as the primary backup to Nick Allegretti. The fact that Good-Jones is not that guy, but they keep putting him out there over Gulbin, tells me who they trust, but that doesn't help block people. Something needs to be done here as the red flags are waving.

Sam Hartman

While Sam Hartman played decently, going 9-of-11 for 67 yards, Kaliakmanis clearly outplayed him in a game where the team was trying to gauge what it had in a direct comparison. Hartman's drives produced short gains, while Kaliakmanis generated 162 yards and repeatedly attacked the defense downfield. Hartman’s second-quarter sack-fumble did not help his situation.

Verdict: While Sam Hartman did not lose his developmental QB role Saturday, Kaliakmanis clearly gained ground and, at this point, has just about won the competition.

Washington’s Rush Game — On Both Sides of the Ball

No matter what looked good, Washington's collective problem was all across the board. The team had severe issues with the rush game on both sides of the ball Saturday. Offensively, the team rushed it 17 times for 35 yards, which is a 2.1-yard average, good enough to get even the best back a seat on the bench. Rookie Kaytron Allen led Washington with 30 yards on 10 carries. Defensively, the team allowed 169 yards rushing on 35 attempts, which is a really bad 4.8 yards per carry, while giving up nine rushing first downs and allowing both of their touchdowns on the ground. It should be noted that 50 of those yards did come on Dobbs' untouched touchdown run, and that most of Washington's defensive front did not play.

Verdict: Unknown at this point. Washington played this game with much of their starting defensive front on the sideline.

GO DJ ‼️ pic.twitter.com/yVDlNUGgGO
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 22, 2026

Washington can legitimately take serious positives from the five sacks, the now-six preseason takeaways, and several young players standing out through two exhibition games, even if the last one was a loss.

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1 drive, 3 sacks 😤

📺 #WASvsDET @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/LuuwKYvRqY
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 22, 2026

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