Are Lions playing their starters in preseason Week 1 vs. Falcons?

The Detroit Lions will play their second preseason game on Friday versus the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as Dan Campbell's squad will look to bounce back after an embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame game last Thursday.

The Lions didn't play any of their starters against Los Angeles last week, but could that change in Atlanta this week?

Though giving in-game reps to the starters before the regular season can be beneficial, Campbell has been known to rest his starting units ahead of the season, and we can expect more of the same on Friday night.

Are the Lions playing their starters vs. Falcons?

No, the Lions are not playing their starters on Friday versus Atlanta. Detroit's starters likely won't see the field for game action until Week 1 when the team travels to Lambeau Field to square off against the Green Bay Packers.

Though most of the starters are sitting out, there's a chance we could see Detroit's top rookies, defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and guard Tate Ratledge, out there for a series or two versus the Falcons.

Campbell stated on Wednesday that he wants to give Williams and Ratledge some action in the preseason, as they're rookies who need the experience. However, the Lions' head coach didn't confirm whether they would play on Friday.

"I would like to get them going this game but I'm not 100 percent set on that yet," Campbell said on whether Williams and Ratledge will play in Detroit's second preseason game in Atlanta.

Outside of Williams and Ratledge possibly playing a few snaps, the rest of the Lions' starters will be on the sidelines watching the game and helping out the coaching staff.

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