Michigan Sports

Vying for backup QB, Dobbs shines in Lions’ preseason finale

INDIANAPOLIS -- Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer went into the Detroit Lions’ preseason finale on what appeared to be a level playing field in the battle to back up Jared Goff.

Now coach Dan Campbell has a decision to make.

Dobbs, the veteran who signed with the Lions after Teddy Bridgewater retired earlier this month, made his strongest case yet Saturday afternoon by throwing two touchdown passes and taking Detroit on a late TD drive in a 25-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

“I thought Dobbs really played well today,” Campbell said, refusing to tip his hand on who he would select as the No. 2 quarterback.

Incumbent starter Jared Goff did not throw a pass in Detroit’s three preseason games, allowing Dobbs and Altmyer to take center stage and essentially play to a draw through the first two preseason games.

But Dobbs closed the preseason with his most impressive performance.

He played the second and fourth quarters and finished 15 of 19 for 128 yards with no turnovers or sacks while executing the 2-minute drill perfectly at the end of the first half. He connected with Lucky Jackson on a 35-yard completion with 12 seconds left and found Tay Martin for a 2-yard score on the next play to give Detroit a 19-13 lead.

Altmyer played the first and third quarters, going 7 of 11 for 55 yards while taking the Lions on a 75-yard TD drive. He also threw an interception, lost a fumble and was sacked twice.

“The first one was not his fault,” Campbell said, referring to the ball cornerback Sauce Gardner snared. “We had a bust outside and if we did that right, that guy wouldn’t have even been there. I don’t blame that on Luke.”

Indianapolis has its own backup competition.

Anthony Richardson started along with the Colts’ starting offensive line and showed glimpses of what the Colts thought they were getting when they drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He was largely on time and on point, going 7 of 10 for 80 yards with one sack while leading the Colts to two field goals for a 6-0 lead.

Riley Leonard, in his second season, struggled in the second quarter despite taking the Colts on their first TD drive since Week 1 of the preseason. Detroit tied it with Traveyon Williams’ 1-yard TD run late in the first quarter. The Lions took a 13-6 lead on Dobbs’ 6-yard TD pass to Jackson Meeks midway through the second quarter.

DJ Giddens tied it again at 13 on a 6-yard TD run before Dobbs hooked up with Martin for the go-ahead score with 8 seconds left in the half.

Jacob Saylors carried 17 times for 100 yards for Detroit. Williams rushed nine times for 57 yards and added a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. But Williams lost a fumble, one of four Detroit turnovers.

Up next

Lions: Host the New Orleans Saints in their Sunday, Sept. 13,

opener.