Detroit, MI
Position Battles to Watch in Lions’ Preseason Finale
The Detroit Lions are nearing the end of the preseason, and as a result the time to make key roster decisions is running out.
Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have seen plenty since training camp opened in mid-July, as players have made their pitches for a roster spot over the last month with their performance. Though the Lions have much of their starting lineup locked into stone, the depth behind those starters will be key.
Several position groups have ongoing battles for important depth roles. With starters unlikely to play in Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh, the game itself will be a showcase for players looking to make the final roster.
Here are three position battles to watch in the Lions’ preseason finale.
Backup quarterback
If all goes according to Dan Campbell’s plan, Hendon Hooker will be the starting quarterback in Saturday’s game. He said he hopes to start the Tennessee product during the week, and actually planned to in Week 2 had he not gotten injured and missed practice time.
As a result, Hooker’s final preseason audition for the backup job could be an extended one. Campbell is likely weighing multiple options as far as how long to play. Nate Sudfeld will likely get reps at some point, but it remains to be determined just how much both passers play.
Campbell offered some clarity on the backup job, stating that Sudfeld has “the upper hand” over Hooker in terms of experience and time with the system. It may not be finished, however, as Hooker has the opportunity to make a strong case for the backup job in Saturday’s game.
Detroit appears to be being patient with Hooker’s development, and while Campbell wouldn’t 100 percent commit to keeping three quarterbacks, he seemed to imply that was the direction it was going during his press conference Tuesday.
Wide receiver 3/4
The wide receiver position has been one that has caught plenty of attention throughout camp, particularly for the lack of clarity on the spots behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Campbell named Kalif Raymond as WR3, but admitted the team would prefer not to play him a heavy workload because of his ability as a returner.
Plenty of players have stood out at points in practice, such as Kaden Davis, Daurice Fountain, Isaiah Williams and Donovan Peoples-Jones. However, Campbell has said that they are still missing the necessary consistency that would allow the staff to feel confident in their options.
Williams could be the biggest benefactor of a big game Saturday. He has been the top playmaker for the offense each of the last two games. Though he may face an uphill climb toward a roster spot, the Illinois product has made a strong case and can continue building it with another good showing.
Tight end 3/4
With Sam LaPorta dealing with an injury and Brock Wright not playing in the preseason, Saturday will be the last of three opportunities for the Lions’ depth to compete for the third tight end role.
This competition has been one that is unique, because the players competing for the third tight end role all have vastly different skill sets. Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell have the pass-catching profile, while Sean McKeon and Parker Hesse are more known for their blocking ability.
In the end, the Lions could elect to keep four players at this position. It could shake out to be one receiving and one blocking tight end that stays alongside LaPorta and Wright, so Saturday’s game will carry a lot of weight at what could be one of the final positions with available roster spots.
Detroit, MI
Detroit People Mover resumes service after nearly 2 months of repairs
The Detroit People Mover is back up and running after being closed for the past two months for repairs following storm damage.
According to the Detroit Transportation Corporation, the People Mover reopened to the public at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
High winds on March 13 forced the People Mover to undergo a series of repairs, including undercarriage sheet metal removal, track cable communications and switch mechanisms.
Over the last 16 days, People Mover cars have been out for tests ahead of the reopening.
“Rider safety is always at the heart of what we do, and it is our responsibility as a public transit provider,” DTE CEO Melia Howard said in a statement. “The time was a necessary requirement to restore key, operational components and is an investment in the continued reliability of the system. We take pride in the role that the People Mover plays for residents, workers and visitors, and we look forward to being the go-to public transportation for both daily rides and special events which bring everyone together.”
Detroit, MI
Tigers’ Framber Valdez ejected as benches clear after hit-by-pitch
Scott Harris introduces Framber Valdez to Detroit Tigers after signing
President of baseball operations Scott Harris introduced left-hander Framber Valdez to the Detroit Tigers on Feb. 11, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida.
Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was ejected from his start Tuesday, May 5, against the Boston Red Sox before recording an out in the fourth inning.
The 32-year-old was ejected by third-base umpire and crew chief Dan Iassogna for hitting Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a first-pitch 94.4 mph four-seam fastball – immediately after giving up back-to-back home runs.
The hit-by-pitch appeared to be intentional, especially because the pitch registered as the only four-seam fastball that Valdez has thrown in the 2026 season.
The Red Sox scored 10 runs off Valdez, including two in the fourth inning on home runs from Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu, both with bat flips. That’s when Valdez hit Story, who absorbed the pitch with his back.
Players and coaches from both teams’ benches and bullpens poured onto the field at Comerica Park.
Valdez stood near the mound during the skirmish, all while his teammates and coaches exchanged words with players and coaches from the Red Sox.
There was no brawl.
Before benches and bullpens cleared, Story stared down Valdez from near home plate, and Valdez took several steps in front of the pitching mound.
The two never came close to a fight.
Afterward, the umpires gathered, discussed what had happened and ejected Valdez. He didn’t protest the ejection, simply walking off the mound and into the clubhouse.
Both teams were warned not to retaliate.
Valdez – a two-time All-Star in his nine-year MLB career – allowed 10 runs (seven earned runs) on nine hits and one walk with three strikeouts across three-plus innings, throwing 45 of 60 pitches for strikes.
He generated six misses on 34 swings for a below-average 17.6% whiff rate, while the Red Sox averaged an above-average 93.3 mph exit velocity on 16 balls in play.
Valdez has a 4.57 ERA in eight starts.
The Tigers – led by president of baseball operations Scott Harris – signed Valdez in early February to a lucrative contract that will be worth three years, $115 million if he exercises his player option for the third season.
The deal set the MLB record for the highest average annual value guaranteed to a left-handed pitcher, at $38.3 million.
So far, the results have been disappointing.
The hit-by-pitch in Tuesday’s meltdown didn’t help.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Detroit, MI
A New Day for Detroit’s Dakota Inn – Hour Detroit Magazine
For generations of Detroiters, the Dakota Inn Rathskeller has been more than a bar—it’s been a ritual. A place where communal tables, steins raised high, and the familiar sound of German folk songs have created a sense of belonging that transcends time. Now, as the city continues its cultural resurgence, the Dakota Inn is entering a bold new chapter—one that honors its storied past while opening the doors to an entirely new kind of experience.
This summer, the transformation is unmistakable.
At the heart of the revival is a sprawling outdoor Biergarten—an ambitious expansion that reimagines the Dakota Inn as both a neighborhood anchor and a destination venue. Designed to evoke the charm of traditional European beer gardens while embracing Detroit’s gritty, creative energy, the space invites guests to linger. Long wooden tables stretch beneath open skies, string lights glow into the evening, and the hum of conversation blends with live music and clinking glasses. It’s communal, celebratory, and distinctly Detroit.
But the evolution doesn’t stop with beer.
The Dakota Inn is broadening its cultural reach with a thoughtfully curated lineup of events that extend far beyond its traditional roots. Jazz & Film Nights promise to turn warm evenings into immersive experiences, pairing live performances with classic and contemporary cinema. The concept feels both nostalgic and fresh—an echo of Detroit’s rich musical heritage layered with a modern, cinematic sensibility.
Wine tastings, too, are joining the calendar, signaling a more expansive approach to hospitality. These events aim to attract a wider audience while maintaining the venue’s approachable, convivial spirit. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply curious, the goal is the same: bring people together around shared experiences.
And then there’s soccer.
With World Cup excitement on the horizon, the Dakota Inn is positioning itself as one of the city’s premier gathering spots for international watch parties. The Biergarten will come alive with fans from all backgrounds, united by the universal language of the game. Large screens, cold drinks, and a festival-like atmosphere will transform match days into something closer to a civic celebration than a simple viewing.
What makes this moment particularly compelling is the balance being struck. The Dakota Inn isn’t abandoning its identity—it’s expanding it. The familiar sing-alongs, the old-world décor, the sense of history etched into the walls—all of that remains. But now, it exists alongside new programming that reflects the diversity and dynamism of Detroit itself.
This is not a reinvention for reinvention’s sake. It’s a thoughtful evolution, rooted in the belief that historic spaces can—and should—adapt to the communities they serve.
On any given summer night, you might find a table of old friends singing a German drinking song, a couple discovering the space for the first time over a glass of wine, or a crowd gathered around a screen, erupting in cheers as a goal is scored thousands of miles away. Different scenes, different energies—but all part of the same story.
A new day has arrived at the Dakota Inn Rathskeller, and if this summer is any indication, its next chapter may be its most vibrant yet.
The Dakota Inn
17324 John R St, Detroit, MI 48203
(313) 867-9722
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