ATLANTA -- The Detroit Lions will debut their top two rookies against the Atlanta Falcons in Friday night’s prime-time preseason game.
Fox 2 Detroit reports first-round defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and second-round offensive lineman Tate Ratledge will make their preseason debut. Both Williams and Ratledge dressed during last week’s warmups before the Hall of Fame Game but did not end up playing against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he was considering playing the two rookies in Atlanta earlier this week, but hadn’t made a final decision.
“I would like to get them going this game, but I’m not 100% set on that yet,” Campbell said Wednesday morning. “Last night, we kind of talked about it a little bit. You have an idea, really, today, whoever is playing is not going to get enough reps to really, they’ll have plenty of juice to play in this game in Atlanta. You can kind of play anybody you need, too, you know?”
Williams has started to pop in Allen Park. The defensive lineman had a thunderous showing in Monday night’s physical practice, flashing the stout run-stopping skills and underrated pass-rushing chops that made the Lions fall in love with his game.
Ratledge has settled into life at right guard after the Lions kicked the tires on how he would look at center. Graham Glasgow appears set to get the first shot at replacing Frank Ragnow at center this year.
The former Georgia standout now gets the chance to play in an NFL game back in the state he made a name for himself.
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