Bengals vs. Lions 2016 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch online

Injuries leave both teams scrambling for replacements this preseason.

Aug 18, 2016, 11:40 AM UTC

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 of the preseason gets started Thursday night with six games, including a matchup in Detroit between the Lions and the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. With a chance to see the starters for the first quarter, if not more, this game will go a long way in getting teams closer to their final 53-man rosters.

The Bengals lost their first preseason game by one point to the Vikings, but they had reason to feel optimism after seeing how their rookies performed. The first points of the day for the home team came from a short pass from AJ McCarron to undrafted rookie receiver Alex Erickson, who was later responsible for the team’s other touchdown on an 80-yard punt return. Despite limited looks on offense, his score on special teams is what could earn him more playing time throughout the year and solidify his spot on the roster.

Second-round receiver Tyler Boyd only got two targets, but he was able to impress with a highlight-reel grab. He should only see his number of targets increase this preseason.

There are a host of Bengals who are expected to sit out Thursday due to injury, including wide receiver Brandon LaFell, right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, and cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard and William Jackson III. Head coach Marvin Lewis has also decided to keep Vontaze Burfict sidelined during the preseason to avoid injury. Burfict is suspended for the first three games of the season, and the team doesn’t want to take any chances that his time away is extended.

Detroit is facing it own injury problems. Tight end Eric Ebron and running back Ameer Abdullah are still working their way back from injuries, while linebacker DeAndre Levy was finally activated off the non-football injury list. Levy isn’t expected to play during the preseason, but vowed that he’d be ready for the season opener. His replacement, Jon Bostic, had foot surgery earlier in the week that will keep him out 2-3 months.

The Lions are working on a whole new offensive scheme under Jim Bob Cooter, one that seems to align much better with the skill set of quarterback Matthew Stafford. There are still valid concerns over the depth of the offensive line and the run game, but they do have a bright spot in Golden Tate, who is looking like the heir apparent to the No. 1 receiver role occupied for nine years by Calvin Johnson. The team also has veteran Anquan Boldin, who had a strong Lions debut last week, and a bevy of receivers such as T.J. Jones, Andre Roberts and Jeremy Kerley.

The preseason is the perfect time for guys to sit out and get healthy, but when a young group is trying to find their rhythm, they need all hands on board. Both the Bengals’ and Lions’ first-team offenses failed to score any points during their first preseason game, which will assuredly be the focus of both teams in this matchup.