RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 2 sources
DETROIT — Based on what the Washington Commanders were presenting, Detroit Lions quarterback Luke Altmyer and tight end Jackson Meeks both anticipated man coverage.
But the Commanders dropped into zone at the snap, muddying what Altmyer thought was going to be a simple read. The Lions were running a play with a mesh-rail concept, a man-beating strategy designed to potentially get running back Trayveon Williams open out of the backfield. Ideally, a linebacker would be manned up against Williams, and that defender would have to sift through traffic to reach the running back.
"It was going to be really, really good for man coverage," Altmyer explained. "They ended up dropping into a three-deep zone it looked like. You don't really draw it up for three-deep zone. ... Luckily my O-line gave me a good amount of time, (the Commanders) rushed four.
"I was able to escape a little bit, and Meeks kind of just found a big, open space."
Altmyer, after realizing his pre-snap assessment was incorrect, escaped right and strung the play out long enough for Meeks to come open. Meeks, a former receiver who began transitioning to tight end last season, made the catch on the sideline to convert on fourth down, allowing the Lions to drain about three more minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 17-13 preseason win over the Commanders .
The joint ad-libbing between Altmyer and Meeks was impressive, no doubt, and it's encouraging to see from a pair of young players. But because of another play made by Meeks moments later, it ended up not mattering much in the result itself. After kicker Jake Bates connected on a 37-yard field goal to extend Detroit's lead to four with 2:30 remaining, Meeks came down on the ensuing kickoff and knocked the ball free from returner Robert Henry.
Lions linebacker Erick Hunter recovered the fumble. It took one first down from the offense to seal it.
"I told him the other day, I said, 'You just continue to get better.' He continues to grow. ... This tight end thing is still kind of new to him, but the good news for Meeks is he’s strong," Lions coach Dan Campbell said. "You know (he has) the athleticism. ... He’s strong, and he’s willing, and he’s smart. ... I thought he did some did some really good things today, made some critical plays."
Meeks caught four of his six targets against the Commanders, including a diving grab over the middle in the second quarter. He also had a 10- and 11-yard catch earlier that drive, using his skill set as a former receiver to collect yards after the catch.
Though he's no shoo-in for Detroit's 53-man roster following cutdowns (6 p.m. on Aug. 30), the team clearly sees something in Meeks after stashing him on the practice squad for the entire 2025 season, and he'll make the front office's decision difficult this year if he continues to be impactful, both in practice and in Detroit's final preseason game at the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 29.
One development that could open the door wider for Meeks: Star tight end Sam LaPorta, one of the NFL's best receiving threats at the position, is dealing with a hip injury, and Campbell isn't sure if it'll linger into the regular season. Regardless of LaPorta's situation — "I'm just hoping Sam gets healthy," Meeks said — Meeks isn't running various roster scenarios in his head.
Instead, he remains focused on making plays and learning the intricacies of his new position.
"Let's be honest, I had a good camp last year, too," said Meeks, who in the 2025 preseason hauled in 11 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns. "That's why I said I'm never comfortable. I have no idea what they're doing upstairs, I just know that I've got to go out there, do my job to the best of my ability, then put it in God's hands."
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Jackson Meeks a pivotal piece in Lions' preseason win over Commanders
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.