Detroit Lions 2026 Week 3 OTA Recap

The second week of OTAs for the 2026 Detroit Lions has concluded and as the Lions get deeper into the off-season workouts, we start to see some trends emerge along with players that start to separate themselves from the pack early in the process. Let's recap the most important bits of news that came out of the three-day camp from the press events, photos, interviews and boots on the ground from the Lions beat reporters.

Photo - Jeff Nguyen Detroit Lions

Injury Updates

Dan Campbell gave a few answers about player availability during his press conference Thursday, but when the team took the field, there was a pretty lengthy list of players not participating.

• The list of those not practicing was lengthy.

  • QB Teddy Bridgewater, WR Kendrick Law, TE Tyler Conklin, G Ben Bartch, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw, CB Rock ya-Sin, Safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, while Sam LaPorta was a partial participant

• QB Teddy Bridgewater

  • Bridgewater's absence was of the unknown variety, and there was no official reason provided for why he was not available.

• TE Sam LaPorta and Tyler Conklin

  • Following the same schedule as last week, Sam LaPorta was out there for the long walkthrough to open practice but left the field when the teams broke out to positional drills.

  • Tyler Conklin's absence had no official explanation provided by the Lions, but Justin Rogers noted that Conklin left Wednesdays practice with an injury, although it appears minor based on Campbell not addressing it.

• OG Ben Bartch

  • Per Dan Campbell, OL Ben Bartch is still recovering from the Lisfranc injury he suffered last year while with the 49ers. Even though he has been treated with more precaution as Joseph and Branch, they anticipate him being ready for training camp.

• CBs Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw and Rock Ya-Sin

  • Campbell mentioned that neither Rakestraw nor Ya-Sin would be practicing today when the media hit the field, as they both have been slowed down by an illness that is impacting the Lions locker room currently. However, both have been out there all spring other than the illness for today.

• S Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph

  • Campbell jokingly widened the return window to December before saying he could be ready to start the year, as there has not been any setbacks with him and he is doing a good job and putting in the work.

  • Branch was also observed by the media attending practice for the first time and reported that he wasn't wearing a sleeve or brace and was walking without a limp. He is a candidate for the PUP list per Campbell and would likely have to miss the first four games of the season if that is the case (aligning with expected recovery of his injury.)

  • Kerby was spotted watching the end of practice with Branch and apparently tried to get the coaches to let him participate in a punt catching drill, which they declined to do.

Week 3 OTA Observations form the Lions Media

• General Observations

  • The practice open to the media but did not feature any 7-on-7s and a single 11 on 11 situational drill to end the work.

  • Practice ended with situational 11-on-11 work, with the Offense trailing 31-27 with the ball on the defenses 44-yard line, 40 seconds on the clock and one timeout available.

    • Per reports, the 1st team offense had a false start (1st and 15 at the 49) right out of the gate, but then Goff found St Brown for a 19-yard completion down to the 30-yard line where he was able to get out of bounds to stop the clock. Next play saw a Goff to Gibbs pass in the flats, with LB Malcolm Ridriguez getting a hand on him to limit it to a trhee-yard gain to the 27-yard line, followed by an incompletion by Goff to stop the clock at 13 seconds left. Next play Goff hit St Brown on a crossing route for 17-yards down to the 10-yard line where they called timeout with seven seconds left. Next play was a an almost TD throw to Jamo in the back of the endzone where he tried to toe-tap in bounds but just touched the line. However, a holding penalty on the play gave the offense the ball at the five-yard line with one second left and on the next play, an interference call on DJ Reed against Williams gave the offense one more untimed down, which operating form a five-wide set, Goff found an opening behind LG Mahogany for a TD "run" and proceeded to chuck the ball onto the adjacent practice field.

  • There was an NFL officiating crew present at practice.

    • Apaprently Sewell was called for a penalty (Illegal man Downfield) and picked up the official's flag and put it in his picket.

  • There was a QB drill observed where a golf cart that was moving full speed through the end zone where the QBs had to hit a dummy that was on the back while rolling out to their right. Reports are that both Altmyer and Goff connected on ~half their throws which were form 15-20 yards out.

  • Lions had a PR drill during practice that saw the same players from Week 1 OTAs participating in Dortch, Pacheco, Kennedy and St Brown.

  • At the end of practice, the team has a Punt Return catch competition, with 1-minute Planks on the line as a punishment for the losers. Teams picked players, and first team to miss the punt catch lost. Dortch and Reed caught their punts, but WR Dominic Lovett missed his and the Offense, including Coach Campbell, had to take their punishment while the defense cheerfully watched.

• Offensive Line

  • 1st OL: Sewell-Mahogany-Mays-Ratledge-Borom/B Miller

    • Borom received the most 1st team reps at RT for the 2nd week in a row

    • Reports are that Miller and Borom were rotating at RT and as the swing T in practice.

    • This is the first report that B Miller has been at RT and swing T, as it was previously reported he has only taken RT reps.

    • Reports are that Juice Scruggs was also receiving 1st team reps at LG.

  • 2nd OL: Manu-Frazier-Scruggs-M Miller-Cochran

    • Campbell brought up Manu rotating into the IOL a bit, but the Lions believe he is a T first.

      • Last week McLaughlin was noted getting many of the OC reps on the 2nd and 3rd units, so Scruggs getting 2nd unit reps is a bit of news

• WRs

  • Veteran Cedrick Wilson, repping low in the rotation had a good move to put rookie Keith Abney in a spin-cycle in a end zone drill.

• TE

  • With Sam LaPorta and Tyler Conklin out that allowed Wright, Horton, Gordon and Kitselman to spill the reps.

• DL

  • 1st Unit: Hutch-McNeil Willaims- Rotation

    • Tyler Lacy has been the "big' DE in a Five-man front. reports are he has consistently gotten work early.

  • 2nd Unit: No Reports

• LBs

  • 1st Tean - Campbell, Barnes and Rodriguez have been the starters in all sessions

    • Starting Nickel LBs are Campbell and Barnes

  • 2nd Team - Damone Clark and Joe Bachie appear to be next two up, with Rookie Jimmy Rolder working his way on the 2nd group

  • 3rd team - Rolder, Hunter and Nowaske

• Safety

  • 1st Team - Christian Izien (In for Kerby) and Chuck Clark (In for Brian Branch) continue to get 1st team reps

    • It was reported that Clark in particular has picked up the defense quickly, but will see when camp starts

    • Per reports, Izien and Clark flipped roles in practice open to media Thursday (Izien for Branch at String, Clark for Joseph at Free)

  • 2nd team - Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper

  • 3rd team - No Reports

• Nickel

  • DJ Reed basically spilled the beans saying "our new nickel Roger McCreary" during his media session.

• Outside CBs

  • 1st Team - DJ Reed and Khalil Dorsey (Arnold, Rock Ya-Sin and Rakestraw all out)

  • 2nd Team - Nick Whiteside and De'Shawn Rucker

  • 3rd Team - No reports (likely due to missing players)

• Punt Returners

  • WR Greg Dortch, RB Isiah Pacheco, WR Tom Kennedy and WR Amon-Ra St Brown were the reported participants Thursday, with all four having taken repas previously in open practice.

• Gunners

  • Kyre Duplessis, Khalil Dorsey, Dominic Lovett, Keith Abney, Malik Cunningham, Nick Whiteside, De’Shawn Rucker, Isaac TeSlaa, Christian Izien, Roger McCreary and D.J. Reed.

Rookies

• Blake Miller - He was observed still splitting 1st/2nd team RT reps with Borom. But new intel suggests he was observed also getting swing T reps (either LT or RT) for the first time.

• Derrick Moore - Finally showed up in some OTA photos and his name came up in both the new Edges with Length (he is 6'3") and during Tyliek Wiliams media session asking about the dynamic of another Michigan guy in the DL room.

• Jimmy Rolder - Rolder was seen in photos on multiple days and was mentioned has having worked his way into the 2nd LB unit occasionally.

• Keith Abney II - Showed up in some photos this week and was mentioned as getting cooked in a jog through end-zone drill by veteran Cerick Wilson.

• Kendric Law - Done for season with a torn ACL suffered win OTA Week2 practices

• Skyler Gill-Howard - Sighting of Gill-Howard in OTA photos and he looks menacing in that #50 jersey at 6'0" 280 and his arms being ripped.

• Tyre West - No mention of sighting of him in Week 3 OTAs.

• UDFAs

  • Luke Altmyer - With Teddy Bridgewater not practicing, Altmyer received many reps with the 2nd and 3rd team offenses, but only the 1st team had a handful of full-speed drills. Seen in OTA photos and mentioned as part of the QB drills above.

  • Miles Kitselman - Back at practice this week after missing last Thursday and received additional reps with both Ty Conklin (no practice) and Sam LaPorta (limited practice) missing time.

  • Anthony Lucas - The UDFA Edge was mentioned by multiple coaches and playes ion the media session as one of the new Edges with length. Lucas is a big kid at 6'5" and 256lbs with long arms.

Lions Rookies DE Derrick Moore, CB Keith Abney II, DL Skyler Gill-Howard and QB Luke Altmyer Photos - Jeff Nguyen Detroit Lions

Media Scrums with Players

The Lions had media availability with DT Tyliek Williams, CB DJ Reed and LB Malcolm Rodriguez after the final practice of OTAs.

• Tyliek Willaims

  • Asked about how much different it was fo him in year 2:  "Feels way better, not nervous and playing faster. Learned a lot last year and trying to use that to build on this year and get better."

  • Follow up about what he learned last year helping him i these OTAs: "Just how the NFL is played, it's a lot different than college. Players are way better. Schemes are way better. So just having a year under my belt I am playing faster and more fluid."

  • Asked about big goals for the offseason for success in year two:  "Probably shed a little bit more weight. Say the playbook and being a better teammate is probably it."

  • On whether he expects to move up and down the line to different positions:  "Yeah, I think I will be playing some nose this year, and some 3-Tech, we'll see."

  • Wiliams on the Edges with length being added to the room:  "Yeah, we did bring in a bunch of long-armed guys. So, I mean, I think it will help, we'll see. I don't know"

  • On adding another Michigan guy (Moore) to the room: "Uhh, you know we have our conversations about the game, obviously I troll him, he trolls me, but you know he is a good dude and a great player and he'll help us."

  • On how much leaned on McNeil this year for how to pick up position with reader gone:  "Shoot, I talk to Alim everyday about something with football, so. Last year it was DJ and Alim, now its Alim, so I mean Alim helps me whenever I need help, he's been a great leader for me going into year two."

  • Asked about rookies looking to Tyliek as a veteran on where to go and what to do:  "I dont know if its that, but you know I help when I can it's kind weird being like a, having been a rookie last year looking around for everything and now I am helping people, it is kind of weird, buyt I am all for it."

• DJ Reed

  • On his health this year vs last: Said main goal was to stay healthy, which is really important. Doing things in his control like hydrating getting the right amount of sleep. Reed then mentioned that this offseason he went to Panama and underwent stem cell treatment on his hamstring. Said it feels good, but you need to continue rehab in the offseason and take care of it.

  • Frustration with injury last year after starting well: When asked how frustrating it as to go through the hamstring injury, Reed said it was tough, as it was bad strain and severe enough that he thought he might need surgery, but its football. Said he had to teach himself how to walk, jog and sprint again during rehab to get back to plaiting football, but there are no excuses. Said he is looking forward to getting back healthy and balling out and getting back to doing what he was doing before the injury.

  • Asked about what Percent healthy he was last year after coming back vs now: Rehab team for Lions id a great job, while watching tape before vs after injury he didn't see that burst he was accustomed to having that let him be stickier in coverage. Later in season was using same technique, but guys were running by him, and he didn't have that extra gear. It was definitely humbling and he had to alter some of the ways he played to stay on top. Says he definitely has that burst back now.

  • On his second year in Sheppard's system: Feels more comfortable in system, happy to be here in OTAs with new safeties and new nickel (McCreary) and understanding how they play is very important. instead of him just coming to training camp and not knowing how everyone plays

  • On how long he was in Panama getting treatment: Just one week.

  • Where did he get the idea fo stem cell treatment: Fred Warner told him about it two years ago (They were drafted together with 49ers) been going down there a few years now getting a few things done while he is there.

  • Asked how he thinks camp will be different with all te new faces back there: Coaches talk about how they think it will be much more competitive, not a lot of solidified spots, bring more competition everyday which he thinks is good for the betterment of everybody.

  • Follow up on whether he can feel it already: Yeah, he said they say in OTAs you don't lose your job but feels like every day you are being evaluated and you have to put your best foot forward with every practice you get.

  • Asked about depth on team with injuries to Kerby and Branch: He said he believes so, Lions have a lot of guys brought in. Chuck Clark is doing a great job with the role Lions have asked him to play at Safety, and he is in Year 10 and has been around a lot of football so you can tell that he just understands it. Izzyis still learning, but he is super athletic and can range around the field and does good down in the box, so he fills that role Reed believes. Roger is learning a lot of nickel right now, and it's a lot, because Lions put a lot on their nickels, but he is learning and trying to understand it to the best of his abilities, and he is doing a great job to.

  • What has been Shep's message to team in practice: When they get back for training camp, they aren't starting over. That is important because installs were all put in during OTAs, even though in training camp they will be re-installing them, but they don't want to have to coach the basics again after the five weeks off.

  • Asked how Sheppard is doing in Year 2: Reed thought he did a great job last year, especially with all the injuries on the back end, but Coach Shpe seems mor poised this year on correcting people and explaining things better this year than he did last.

• Malcolm Rodruguez on how his body feels this year vs last

  • Asked about being called "Fourth Starter" and now getting starting reps: "Really no different, Shep has always preached about competition. One of those things where you come back to camp and get ready for competition and best guy will play."

  • On his focus for offseason and was WILL LB an area of focus: "It was never to play better, it was about getting back healthy, getting back form injury and getting healthy. Coming from last season, I didn't feel like my best, what I used to feel like, so was one of those things going int offseason, fresh mindset, clear mindset and getting back right."

  • Asked if he feels different coming into this training camp with opportunity in front of him (no Anzalone): "Other than feeling healthy, no I really don't.one of those things where every year I come in and there is always competition. So, I take it as it comes, one of those things like I said, there is competition all around and Shep has always preached that in the defensive meeting room, so guys are going to throw us out there and give us opportunities and go out there and have a chance to make plays."

  • On if he gets the vibe of competition at spots all across the team: "O yeah, it brings the level of play up for sure, and it's one of those things where those guys are going to stand out to the competition. Shep and all the coaches preach it all the time about the level of competition and training camp is gonna be a great one this year."

  • Level fo Hunger to get out there and play on defense: "I'm always hungry you know, its one of those things you get the opportunity you gotta go out there and showcase my talents again. One of those things were coming into this year is kind of a refresh and going back in there like I am a rookie again. That's the mindset you gotta have and just keep going."

  • On Shep's ability to communicate in Year 2: "They did a good job on self-=scout, so it's one of those things for like what worked well last year and what didn't he is a very knowledgeable coach like that and he's always implementing on us, teaching us all the little details in and out of offense and not just defense he is an awesome DC to have and excited to play for him again."

  • Healthwise, what was missing last year when came back vs now: "Just one of those things where I was dealing with some stiffness trying to get through some scar tissue an all that. Getting that mental strength back, it's one of those things. This year I fell 10zx better, night and day so, last season is last season, and this year I am excited to come in healthy."

  • Follow up on if they were mental or physical limitations: "Could be a little bit of both, it's one of those things where I have never had to deal with injury so it was something new for me, so had to jump over that bridge and is water under the bridge now."

Dan Campbell Media Session

Lions head Coach Dan Campbell met with the media on Thursday to cover quite a few topics that have come up since last week. After opening up with some comments about where the team is at in the offseason program, he took some questions.

Dan Campbell OTA Day 9 Press Conference

• Opening Statement: Cambell said that this will be OTA #9, mentioned two Vet Minicamps next week. Said team is putting in the work, testing each other on both sides of the ball. He also said for what they can do, they are getting better even with the restrictions that are upon them at this time of the year. Said he appreciates the guys that are there putting in the work especially the veteran guys that are the leaders of the team, aid all are just trying to improve.

• Asked about where team is at now vs last year at this time and if happy cadence of the offseason and if they are all done after Minicamp next week: Campbell said that everyone will be done next week, including the rookies, stating that the rookies will have gotten their full share of the program. On this year vs last, said everything was little different this year because it was a later start for the league year. Campbell stated he likes that they are here together another year, especially with guys like Jack and Hutch with Sheppard's system, it allows them to expand on things and find things that fit the team schematically and continue things that they do well. They will tinker a bit here and there, but thinks team is further along on defense because they didn't have to start over like last year when they had all new coordinators and coaches coming in. On offense, said the same thing, fortunate to have a lot of veteran players in Detroit and have a system that works, and when you add Drew Petzing with his ideas and things he has been able to do with what he has had, and some of the tweaks and adds, it's been good for this time of year. Campbell said as a head coach you get to step back and although you don't get the physical part, you do get to watch that they can process the information that gets on them fast, see how are they reacting, because that won't change whether you are in pads or not, your reaction time should look the same.

• Was asked about the addition of Dan Skipper to the coaching staff: Campbell jokingly said they "...are still trying to figure Dan out, we don't know a lot about him." Said he loves Skip, he's a natural, he just stepped into it, but he fits us like a glove. His temperament, the way he goes about his business, he is a professional, he was that way as a player, smart, wants to know all of it, the big picture. Certainly, he is going to do what Hank asks him to do. But he has been trained in it, so he knows exactly the way it is supposed to look. Skip's doing a really good job.

• Asked about Ennis Rakestraw and what he has done to be more available: Campbell said he won't be out there today before he answers, he and Rock Ya-Sin had a bit of an illness that is going around. Said Rakestraw has had a good spring and been out there every day minus the big that has a hit a few of the guys. This year he had a lot of time to rehab and work back there with Coach Schuler and Mike Clark when he was here and Fish (Dir of Player Health and Performance Brett FIscher) and has added a little bit of bulk, a little more dense than he was that is always going to help the body. There is nothing to say or tell me (Campbell) that he won't physically be prepared to go into training camp. Whatever happens, happens, but he is where he is supposed to be right now in early June.

• What are his early impressions of Blake Miller: There again, he wants to do it right, he tries to do what he is asked to do, coached to do its early though, there are things he learns every day. Look, even for not being, the physical aspect of this with the pads, the D-Line doesn't cut them any real slack anyways, so whoever lines up over him is trying. Sewell went through it a bit, Hutch went through it a little bit. He is learning and as long as he continues to grow and take these small steps every day, he will be fine.

• Asked about Thomas Harper and his ability to step up to provide a big role again this year: Cmapbell said he did some good things for us, he did step up and I think te biggest thing was there were some good things, and some things that weren't as a good, some little inconsistencies is what comes with a young player. What we are looking for, and we like him, we like the ability, we like some of these things he is able to do, can he continue to increase on that consistency. Knowing he will do that time, in, time out, every play it's not gonna get on you and that comes with reps. He has done a good job though.

• Asked about early impressions of Edge room: Campbell jokingly said I know you guys need something, but it is early. However, for all the drill work that the team gets and times where they can turn it up a little bit. Wonnum looks good, said "we have some length now." Cmapbell then said, let me step back a minute, I like where Wonnum is at. He is coming off that injury, hasn't missed a day with the Lions and been putting in the work. And he is doing a good job. Campbell then said, "We've got some guys now you know, between Wonnum and Turner and (UDFA) Lucas, obviously Moore, we got some length now, we got some size and length and athletic ability on the perimeter."Lacey is more of that big end, stacked, but Campbells said the Lions are big, long and you can't wait for training camp. You just can't wait, Kacy (DL Coach Kacy Rodgers) is doing a good job with them, and they all have their own little niche, their own knack, and to watch them fundamentally get a little bit better working on their craft and then we will see what camp looks like.

• Asked what Campbell thins they have in Payton Turner: Said won't know until they get into camp, nothing that he has done that has been a disappointment to us. through all of spring and since they started the offseason program. The meetings have been good, the film work has been good, he is moving around well, his care factor is up there, he seems like a pretty smart guy. Campbell said they are intrigued, which is also why they brought him in. Said they liked him when he was coming out as a pup a long time ago. So we'll see.

• Asked if he sees a big jump in Year 1 to year 2 in SHep and how he is coaching the defense: Campbell said he is much more comfortable relative to last year at this time. He has a much better grasp of how he wants it to look, and now he is coaching all of it. Campbell said he is coaching the front, the backers and the back end and stated that you get better in year two by doing self-diagnsis and made adjustments and loves where Shep is at right now.

• Question on Gio Manu being all over the OL after predominately LT and what his outlook is: Campbell said that some of that is what this is, experiment a little bit trying him due to injuries or bugs at other spots and see what he looks like at Guard. Essentially giving Manu the best opportunity to showcase what he has and who knows, maybe he is better at Guard. Lion still think tackle, but if he can prove something, then that is good. We'll see, he has been here, been working and won't know until camp.

• Touched on Ben Bartch: Campbell said he is much more precautionary that Jospeh and Branch but anticipate him being ready for training camp. He is doing well.

• Was asked about shortening timelines for Achilles and if Branch has an outside chance at training camp: Campbell said he doesn't know and I guess there is always a chance, but he jokingly widened the window the window so that he doesn't have to talk about it anymore, saying December and anything before that is a bonus. Said he could be ready to start the year, as there has not been any setbacks with him and he is doing a good job and putting in the work. He is doing well.

• Campbell was asked about Branch entering a contract year and if the organization factors that in: Campbell said that you always want to know that your guys are healthy and that this is truly healed knowing the investment that would go into that.

Kelvin Sheppard Media Session

Lions' Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard met with the media Thursday fand covered a range of topics form coaches, players, defensive philosophies and how he envisions this season shaking out.

Kelvin Sheppard OTA Day 9 Press Conference

• On first impressions of revamped Edge room: Shep basically said he loves the make-up, with a blend of player sizes and especially the increased length. That was a focus area this offseason for the front office, and they did a good job of adding that component to the room. Competition should be fierce once the pads come on and there will be several guys competing for the last couple of roster spots.

• Where did not having length hurt in 2025 and who has caught his eye such as UDFA Anthony Lucas: Shep mentioned Lucas being 6'7" and others like Wonnum, Eric Moore, Payton Turner, Ahmed Hassaneien looking to make a push, Lucas junior film at USC against LSU he was a game wrecker. aid he has had his radar on him for a few years and couldn't believe they got him undrafted. For length, it's what teams look for on edge and what compliments the werewolf they have (Hutch) and that length will compliment him.

• On Rolder and picking things up quickly: It all starts with Lions LB Shawn Dion-Hamilton who Shep feels is one of the best in the league when it comes to developing. It's what he looks for in a coach, a guy that is a teacher and can pull the most out of his guys through developing. As for Rolder, Shepp it means something to him, to be on this end and to play LB and Safety in this system, especially where we have taken it now, it takes mental capacity, and he has it, but he still has a lot of ways to grow, as this isn't a guy we are looking to go out and call the defense tomorrow, but his trajectory and where we see things going for him is definitely on the upswing.

• Asked about Alim McNeil going to be back to where he was two years ago: Shep said he is confident as he has ever been, last year it wasn't physical it was more in his mind. Loved that McNeil attacked this issue before coaches and he has closed that gap already, but Lions need to see what it looks like in training camp.

• Asked about Harper giving Nine starts in 2025: Another position the front office did a good job of address was Safety. Shep stated that not sure if most people were aware of this, but last year was Thomas Harpers first true time playing safety. Said he played nickel in Las Vegas, more of a nickel/corner hybrid type player and never fully poured into the safety position. Shep said that’s not easy to do in the NFL, as it’s about repetition and a lot of second-nature things take place and instincts kick in. Also, those are areas where you saw him getting better as the year went on and we feel he is continuing to grow and get better and will push that unit to be in that lineup

• Follow up on what made the Lions think he could play safety: Shep said the range of the player and said that is his superpower as an “Angel in the Outfield.” Those two things are range and ability to eraser tackle, that's when the ball pops. In the NFL the guy needs to be able to do those two things. Shep believes in him because he showed it last year.

• Shep asked about Branch/Kerby/Anzalone all out or gone, changing structure of defense more toward pass coverage: Shep said we have a system and we know who we are here. Does that alter week to week and by game plan, yeah, listen those were two all-pro caliber players, so when you call to that or someone, its Shpe's job to make sure those players are put in the best position and doing what they do well and mesh that with how that looks. OTAs have allowed them to work on that and the Lions like where they are at right now. Shep not saying there will be a schematic overall, but brought in some good players like Izien, Calrk and Maddox that have been getting significant reps at safety plus bringing back Harper and they have Strickland and Jackson (who was showing promise). Shep said he has no idea what the room will look like, but whoever the two guys are they will be able to operate well within what the Lions do in their defense.

• Asked if the Nickel CB position takes on more importance: Shep said it was based on matchups, but they are planning on using the nickel position more and they have a lot of candidates that have been logging into that role with the loss of Amik. Lot of question marks, but this is an opportunity for growth as a defense and a team, to get uncomfortable and not knowing who the starting Safeties will be. Said he basks in that moment because it is an opportunity for them as coaches to develop somebody to make sure they are ready to go when week 1 kicks off.

• Shep on how him being more comfortable can help the team this year: Said he think sits human nature and with more time on task you move forward. Shep has gone through a season of needing to adapt and adjust and learn from it, so next time it comes up they will have answer when it comes up again. Mentioned how Drew Petzing has come in this spring and shown them so many different looks, things that they hadn't even began to discuss last year until they got to the season. That has led to conversation right now in the spring due to what Petzing has presented offensively. Cmapbell loves having problem solvers on his staff. Said Life is hard and it's their job as coaches and leaders to figure it out and make it easy on the players who have to go out there and perform.

• On whether team is more versatile to be able to match up week-to-week defensively than in past: Absolutely. Said look at 2nd unit in totality, and there are a lot of guys in there that have played a lot of snaps (mentioned Abney as part of this group). Said they feel like there is a lot of versatility within that group. Ther guys whether it be college or NFL where they have been in the slot or outside, also said some swing players like Izien came in and asked "What you guys need me to play" which Shep said may need you to learn two spots, which Izien said that would be one less than he had to know in Tampa where he learned three. Loves being able to have guys that are used to adapting and said that the adaptability he has for coaches is vítale and said by the 2nd Qtr. of the Saints game something will be different than what they thought it was going to be.

• On main takeaways form offseason deep dive and changes playing out: Said there were a lot of takeaways, no stone unturned. Mainly identifying the "why" things happened so the last eight weeks they have been using to explain the why whether it was lack of understanding, detail or communication. Schematically, they found room for certain thing s they want to do but identified if that is the best thing they could do, and being able to adapt instead of being had headed or stubborn and adapting and adjusting off that.

• On Chuck Clark and what he adds to the defense: Shep said Chuck Clark is a man of man, he is a man, a grown man. he walks in the room, never seen him smile, because it means something to him. And why he has played 10 years in league and the amount of leadership he has grown into. When Clark is on the field you know where the safety is, you know what the check is, you know what the communication is and that is vital and important. You talk about explosive plays and that is the number one component to limiting those. Making sure the Lions are all on the same plays. Chuck Clark on the field is rarely to never a mistake on the back end because everyone knows who is in charge, because he makes it known. Leader, leader. When it comes to athletic ability, can he still do certain things, that is still yet to be seen in training camp will allow us to see that in those four-to five-week period what he is still capable of doing. But form everything Shep has seen so far, this was the player he saw on tape previously in his career, but more importantly the leadership has been outstanding from Clark.

The Lions last off-season workouts wrap with a mandatory minicamp from June 16-17th.