The Detroit Lions did not play key starters in their preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Several players earned opportunities to showcase why they should move up on the depth chart or make their case to make the team. Among them is cornerback Nick Whiteside, who has consistently made plays at training camp and likely has moved past Ennis Rakestraw on the depth chart. "You can't ignore him," said Dan Campbell. "And a guy like him, a guy like him, he is rising. Here's what I love about Ironsides is it is not too big for him. He doesn't care who's across from him, he will compete and he's going to try to use his craft. He doesn't go in a shell and he's defeated before the play is even snapped. I know this sounds crazy, but some guys, all of a sudden (Jameson Williams) Jamo's across from me or (Amon-Ra St. Brown) Saints, and I'm already done, and the fear is already there. He is not that way. "This guy, it doesn't matter who's there. He's going to try to use his craft and compete. And you love that. Special teams, he makes plays every day. And so, I like where he's at right now. We'll see where this goes.”Here is the list of who suited up in the 2026 preseason opener on the road against the Bengals, according to league sources. OffenseLuke Altmyer, Josh Dobbs, Kye Robichaux, Jacob Saylors, Raheem Blackshear, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Tarik Black, Malik Cunningham, Lucky Jackson, Tom Kennedy, Dominic Lovett, Tay Martin, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Tyler Conklin, Thomas Gordon, Zach Horton, Jackson Meeks, Blake Miller, Seth McLaughlin, Mason Miller, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Christian Mahogany, Michael Niese, Melvin Priestly, Colby SorsdalDefenseMekhi Wingo, Ahmed Hassanein, Anthony Lucas, Eric O'Neil, Myles Adams, Skyler Gill-Howard, Tyler Lacy, Levi Onwuzurike, Chris Smith, Ben Stille, Tyre West, Joe Bachie, Erick Hunter, Trevor Nowaske, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Troy Reeder, Devin White, Keith Abney II, Ryan Cooper Jr., Khalil Dorsey, Roger McCreary, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Nick Whiteside, Aamaris Brown, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper, Dan Jackson, Loren Strickland, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten, Jake BatesFor more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel for daily videos, news, member-exclusive content. Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow