BALTIMORE, Md. (August 13, 2026) -- The Detroit Lions open their 2026 preseason schedule Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals, giving former Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter his first opportunity to take the field in a preseason game at the NFL level.

An undrafted free agent who joined Detroit this offseason, Hunter has been with the Lions for only a short time but has already made a strong impression during training camp.

Detroit's coaching staff has been encouraged by Hunter's physicality, athleticism, and ability to make plays. Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp has been particularly impressed with the rookie and expects Hunter to make an impact in the kicking game.

"It's just like anything else; a lot of it is just finding out what's inside of a guy," Fipp, asked how he evaluates talent on special teams, said in a recent interview with 97.1 The Ticket. "How hard is he willing to strain when it gets difficult, and can he match up with a guy? ... You put them in drills like that, and you just let them really decide who's making the most plays. Those guys who stand out, like for us, Erick Hunter, linebacker, I'd be shocked if this guy doesn't have a million tackles in the preseason."

Hunter has embraced the opportunity to contribute on special teams, recognizing the importance of the often-overlooked phase of the game.

"Special teams, I would say, is lowkey a slept-on phase of the game," Hunter told The Detroit News. "It wins games, and loses games, as well."

Hunter's emergence comes as the Lions continue to evaluate their linebacker depth heading into the regular season. Detroit features established veterans Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes, while the departure of Alex Anzalone in free agency created an opportunity for a new contributor to emerge.

The Lions re-signed Malcolm Rodriguez, drafted linebacker Jimmy Rolder, and added veteran Devin White during the offseason. Hunter now enters that competition looking to carve out a role of his own.

At Morgan State, Hunter established himself as one of the most disruptive defensive players in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, showcasing the combination of size, athleticism, and physicality that helped earn him an opportunity with Detroit.

His frame and ability to play downhill make him a natural fit for the physical style the Lions want to establish defensively. He has also demonstrated the versatility to contribute in multiple areas, giving Detroit another intriguing option as it evaluates its linebacker rotation.

Thursday night's preseason opener will provide Lions fans with their first opportunity to see Hunter compete against another NFL team.

While many established starters may see limited action, Cincinnati is expected to feature several of its starters early in the contest, potentially giving Hunter valuable reps against NFL-caliber competition.

Exactly how much Hunter plays remains to be determined, but the preseason opener represents an important first step for the rookie linebacker. After making an early impression during training camp, Hunter will look to translate that momentum into game action and strengthen his case for a role on Detroit's 2026 roster.

For Hunter, the journey from Morgan State to the NFL is entering another chapter — and Thursday night could provide the first glimpse of what he can bring to the Lions' defense.


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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.