The 2025 NFL preseason officially gets underway in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday night during the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

The Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers will square off, even if the biggest players on both teams will probably spend most, if not all, of their time on the sideline.

However, there are some players of intrigue that should get time on the field during the official kickoff to NFL preseason action. Let's run through who they are and why you should pay special attention to their reps.

They range from a former first-round quarterback to a third-round wide receiver.

Chargers QB Trey Lance

Jul 25, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) throws the ball during training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Lance signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in April, and he will try to impress his new team after spending the last couple of years with the Dallas Cowboys. Lance hasn't ever lived up to the hype from his third-overall 2021 NFL Draft selection by the San Francisco 49ers, so this will be a crucial stop to prove he belongs on an NFL roster. Playing well in August will give Los Angeles good reason to keep Lance around on the 53-man roster.

Chargers RB Nyheim Hines

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 22: Nyheim Hines #20 of the Buffalo Bills returns a kick against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Injures have robbed Hines of the last two NFL seasons, and he'll be fighting for a roster spot with the Chargers in a crowded position room. It'd be awesome to see Hines latch on with Los Angeles after not playing in an NFL game since the 2022 season. The preseason is always a great place for players like Hines to make their case.

Chargers OLB Kyle Kennard

Jun 16, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; A general overall view as Los Angeles Chargers outside linebackers coach Dylan Roney interacts with linebacker Kyle Kennard (54) during organized team activities at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Kennard slipped a bit in the 2025 NFL Draft, and we're guessing the fourth-round Chargers pass-rusher will get some playing time during the team's first preseason game. Los Angeles could use Kennard to step up and provide good rotational reps during the season, and August will give the team their first glimpse of his offseason progress.

Lions QB Hendon Hooker

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) watches practice during OTA at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, May 30, 2025.

Hooker holds an important job with the Lions as the team's primary backup quarterback. Quarterback Kyle Allen is Hooker's only meaningful competition, and Hooker can cement his role with strong August football. If Hooker struggles, it wouldn't be a shock to see Detroit bring in a veteran. If he plays well, the spot will most likely be his.

Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa

Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) practices during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, July 28, 2025.

The Lions traded up in the 2025 NFL Draft to select TeSlaa in the third round, and Detroit will depend on the former Arkansas wideout to fill a valuable depth role in the receiving corps early in his career. Detroit can feel better about making such a big move to trade up for him if he performs well in preseason competition.