Lions defense shows depth against Falcons

A clear look at Detroit's defense as it contains Atlanta's backups and builds depth for the season.

Lions defense delivers strong preseason showing against Falcons

Detroit’s defense answered a tough question with a solid preseason showing against Atlanta’s backups on Friday night. Edge rushers Al-Quadin Muhammad and Nate Lynn each earned a sack and repeatedly pressured the quarterback, helping the Lions keep third downs in check and limiting the Falcons to 1-for-8 on third and fourth downs combined. Keith Cooper Jr. stood out as a versatile piece, starting in base looks and offering steady run support, while rookie Ahmed Hassanein brought hustle on screen plays and chasing plays from the back end.

The interior front held its own as Tyleik Williams and Chris Smith controlled the line of scrimmage, keeping Atlanta’s run game contained in the first half. Brodric Martin delivered a disruptive sequence that included a pass rush win and a roughing penalty, illustrating the kind of impact a deeper rotation can provide. Linebackers Zach Cunningham, Grant Stuard, and Trevor Nowaske showed improved diagnosis and edge setting, with Maddox in the slot providing some stability at corner and Ian Kennelly contributing as a steady UDFA starter.

The game helped map Detroit’s rotation for September, showing a defense that can lean on several players beyond the top starters. The performance also highlights areas to monitor, especially at cornerback and in late-game coverage, where a few breakdowns surfaced. The incident surrounding Morice Norris’ injury underscored how teams must balance optimistic on-field results with real-world readiness from medical and staff teams. If this level of effort persists, Detroit gains a credible path to a more flexible defense and a deeper bench for tougher opponents.

Highlights

Preseason is a step, not the finish line, and Detroit is showing it can build from the trenches outward.