Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez share what stood out to them most in the Detroit Lions-New England Patriots joint practice on Aug. 6, 2019. Carlos Monarrez and Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Lions open the preseason against the New England Patriots on Thursday night at Ford Field (7:30 p.m., Channel 2). Starters are not expected to play much if at all for either team after getting plenty of controlled snaps in joint practices this week.
Here are five things to watch when the Lions take the field for the first time in 2019.
Rookie debuts
Most of their regulars will be in street clothes, but the Lions do need to get their rookie class some seasoning.