Lions 2026 Training Camp Day 5 Recap
- The Grey Manes Staff
- 4 minutes ago
- 14 min read
The Lions have made it to Day 5 of training camp, and it's the first day in full pads. Time to separate the men from the boys and see who is worthy to be on the roster come the fall. Campbell provided injnury updates, the Lions signed a new TE and let a WR go and there were lots of guests at camp, including the general public.
Injury Updates
Updates from Dan Campbell's press event this morning, providing clarity on existing and new situations since last practice of players not participating.
The list of those not practicing or exiting early
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, S Brian Branch, S Kerby Joseph, TE Tyler Conklin, OL Gio Manu, EDGE/DE Peyton Turner, LB Jimmy Rolder, TE Miles Kitselman (Left), EDGE Derrick Moore (Left), OG Ben Bartch, WR Lawrence Keys (Left), TE Anthony Fikser (Left), RB Sione Vaki (Left)
New Updates
LB Jimmy Rolder (Leg)
Campbell identified his injury as a Hamstring and re-stated he will be out for a while.
OG Ben Bartch (Foot)
Still off to side doing work, no pads. Was working on busing and stopping drills, likely testing that foot.
OT Blake Miller (Limited)
Campbell mentioned team held him back against his wishes yesterday but is expected to go
EDGE Derrick Moore (Groin)
Expected to miss 7-10 days with a groin strain
TE Miles Kitselman (Concussion)
Will be out awhile (Team signed TE Nick Muse after Press Event this morning)
Existing (No Changes)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Contract Dispute)
Missed practice but was watching from sideline for first time.
S Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph (PUP)
Both are targeted for return around September
Kerby elaborated on his injury a bit saying he woke up with a swollen knee and wasn't as fast on the field, and MRI showed the issue
Both were seen working with trainers on side of field today
TE Tyler Conklin (PUP)
Calf injury, return is targeted for ~Aug 12th-13th.
Was observed working off to the side with a trainer
OT Giovani Manu (NFI/Injury)
Campbell said that Manu had a previous injury over the summer that wasn't disclosed. He came off practice field not feeling good and after checking it out, put him on the list. It's a 12–14-week timeline, putting it between Week 7-9 of the NFL season if he is still on the team.
EDGE/DE Peyton Turner
Per Dan Campbell, Turner has a stiff back, nothing serious
Left Practice
Lawrence Keys (leg)
Anthony Firsker (leg)
Sione Vaki (poked in the eye)
Transactions
Training Camp Day 5 Observations from the Lions Media
General Observations
First day of general public (yesterday was season ticket holders and Saturday was Friends and Family) and apparently the stands were packed.
Calvin Johnson was in attendance today and had a conversation with Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams as they left the field at the end.
Martha Firestone-Ford, at 100 years old, was also in attendance, as was former LB Tahir Whitehead
Jahmyr Gibbs was asked walking through media at the end of practice when he would return to the field and his said “Time will tell.”
Both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch were observed on the sidelines working with trainers running and doing stretching, running, and agility drills. Good indication they are trending the right way. Branch in particular was seen for the 1st time at Camp and doing some aggressive cuts and change of direction drills.
Although it was a padded practice, it was reported by several in attendance that it was very light in terms of hitting and contact, which is not the norm for Lions practices since Campbell has come on board.
TE Anthony Firkser was having a great day before going down with the leg injury, including a one-handed catch-of-the-day
Tyler Lacy was noticeably outperforming all the other "Big" ends in drills.
Offensive Line
1st OL: Sewell-Mahogany-Mays-Ratledge-Borom
Frazier and Mahogany were splitting reps at LG. Scruggs didn't get any 1st team reps at LG
Blake Miller was taking all the 1st team reps at RT
2nd OL: Unknown
3rd OL: Unknown
RBs
1st Unit: Sione Vaki
2nd Unit: Isiah Pacheco
Depth: Saylors, Small and Robichaux
WRs
1st Unit: Amon-Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams
2nd Unit: Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy
Backups: Everyone Else
TE
1st Unit: Sam LaPorta
2nd Unit: Brock Wright
3rd Unit: Firkser/Meeks
Depth: Muse/Gordon
DL
1st Unit: Hutch-McNeil-Williams- Lacy (Wonnum - nickel)
Onwuzurike was noted as getting an increasing amount of 3rd team work
2nd Unit: Unknown
LBs
1st Tean - Campbell, Barnes and Rodriguez have been the starters in all sessions
Devin White was rotating with Malcolm Rodoriguez with the 1st Unit, but Rodrigo continues to get the bulk of 1st team reps
2nd Team - Unknown
3rd team - Unknown
Safety
1st Team - Avonte Maddox (In for Kerby) and Chuck Clark (In for Brian Branch)
2nd team - Christian Izien and Thomas Harper
3rd team - Amaris Brown, Loren Strickland and Dan Jackson
Nickel
Izien and McCreary and Abney
Outside CBs
1st Team - DJ Reed and Ya-Sin/Rakestraw
2nd Team - McCreary and Dorsey
3rd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown
Returners
Greg Dortch, Toim Kennedy, Lawrence Keys, Isiah Pacheco, Dominic Lovett
Gunners Dorsey, Izien, Rakestraw, Abney and Ya-Sin were mentioned as having strong days
Rookies
Blake Miller - Campbell mentioned team held him back against his wishes yesterday but was full go today. Had a great day on Day 5, including stoning Hutch on his signature spin move.
Derrick Moore - Expected to miss 7-10 days with a groin strain
Jimmy Rolder - Campbell identified his injury as a Hamstring and re-stated he will be out for a while.
Keith Abney II - Had a great 11-on-11 rep coming on a blitz to stuff a handoff in the backfield
Kendric Law - Done for season with a torn ACL suffered win OTA Week 2 practices
Skyler Gill-Howard - bad day in 1-on01s, going 0-3
Tyre West - Was 1-1 in the 1-on-1 drill
UDFAs
Luke Altmyer - No mention of Altmyer today.
Miles Kitselman - Will be out awhile
Anthony Lucas - Stalemated his 1-on-1 to Miles Frazier
Erick Hunter - Missed a tackle on Firkser when he came in high and also was noticed with same poor tackling technique in drills later in the day.
Erik O'Neil - Lost his 1-on-1 to Miles Frazier
Aiden Keanaaina - Observed having a strong run fit in the 11-on-11 segment. Also observed getting some 2nd team reps. Was beat in 1-on-1 by McLaughlin
Amaris Brown - Also observed with poor tackling technique (too high). Also observed getting some 2nd team reps.
Melvin Priestly - Had good reps in 1-on-1s against fellow rookies West and Hill-Howard
Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez, TE Sam LaPorta, CB Keith Abney II and WR Jameson Williams Photos - Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell Day 5 Press Conference
Coach Campbell was back at the podium today and provided some injury updates, highlighted a couple of key reserves catching attention and touched ona bunch of other topics, including Day 1 in Pads! Below is a quick summary of the items he was asked and answered:
Injury Summary
New:
Blake Miller - Will Roll today, held back yesterday should be ok
Miles Kitselman - will be out for awhile
Derrick Moore - Strain, 7-10 days
No Changes:
Branch - Potentially Early September
Kerby - Likely will linger into the season on same timeline as Branch
Conklin - Calf in Spring, Two Weeks
Peyton Turner - Stiff back, nothing serious
Giovani Manu - Added to NFI/Injury List due to previously undisclosed injury from offseason
Gibbs - Campbell mentioned a "back" issue during conditioning test, but it isn't serious <wink>
Updates
Rolder injury is a Hamstring, be out for a while
Quick Hitters
Pads today, Campbell is excited as a coach, but was more excited as a player
Injury updates are Kitselman will be out awhile, Moore 7-10 days with a strain, Rolder injury identified as a hamstring and Blake Miller will be back full go, they slowed him down intentionally yesterday
Mentioned Milkes Frazier as being in the mix at RT and all OL spots. versatility is key.
CB 2 spot is between Ya=-Sin, Rakestraw, Whiteside and Dorsey. Pads going on will help separate the players
Jahmyr Gibbs on the field is a boost to teammates, they love him
WR Cedric Wilson is making a strong play with his Special team's skill and as a veteran WR
Cmapbell loves how Cade Mays is developing and learning everything being thrown at him. Is getting better every day
Media Scrums with Players
The Lions had media availability with OT Penei Sewell and OC Cade Mays.
OT Penei Sewell
How's that coming? Obviously, a lot of new pieces kind of up front. You guys have had such a high standard over the last few years. How do you feel like that's coming together? Yeah, it's coming. I mean, uh it's only day one with the pads on. So, there's a lot of days to build upon. So, I think we just got to focus on that day at a time. And, uh we know that what the standard is in the room. And all we have to do is just have that sense of urgency to get it done and to come in each and every day with uh with sky's the limit and everything else will fall in its place.
How last year went, how hard is it knowing that you have to put this new group together to wait until that first game? Like how much do you want to get into week one and play a game? Um, with all the other stuff aside, yeah, I mean, it's a new year, so uh especially this one. Uh, there's a lot of new parts, not only for the team, but for myself and position wise. Uh, yeah, and it's just I'm excited to see week one, but again, we got to stay in the moment uh and focus on that because uh that's the process.
Has it been over the course of over the course of camp? How do you gauge progress for the offensive line? The way you're getting off the ball, the way you're communicating like what to use signals that you guys are moving in the right direction. Uh yeah, it sounds from the uh the ground up and it's technique-wise for the O line wise and uh individually everyone has different things that they need to work on and then from there it goes on to team. All five working as one. And when we have those two clicking at the right time or those two working well together, then I think that's the I guess the standard. Has there been anything with Blake Miller that you've kind of pulled him to the side and said, you know, try this a little bit better? Like you've been playing right tackle a lot in the NFL. He's just got here. You know, is there any advice that you've shared with him? And anything you could tell him? Um, I'm g just keep that between me and him. But, uh, again, he's a different body type than I am. uh he's a lot taller, longer arms. So, I just give him a few pointers and it's up to him to take it or leave it cuz at the end of the day, every player is uh capable of different things.
But you got to watch Jared's blind side. Okay. >> Now, for you, how's Uncle Jared do as far as [snorts] that role in his life? Uh he's doing good, man. The man has kid of his own. So, u Yeah, it's a lot of life around here right now and it's and it's fun.
Settle in the left. Uh yeah, I mean, we'll see. I mean there's again it's still early on guys like um it's a day one of pads and what it's early in August still so uh there's a lot of a lot of days built to build upon so uh not done yet.
So I know we've asked you this a ton but the one-on-one reps that you give with Hutch you know I think you got you split today he got you the first one you came back just how much um of an advantage is it for both of you guys to get that work day in and day out. Yeah. No, it's the biggest um I I think I've said this multiple times. Uh I don't take anything for granted and I don't take those matchups for granted because not everyone's able to go against someone like that in practice. Every day, day in and day out, just battling. So, every time uh our rep is about to happen, I just I just know I got to lock in and if I'm able to block that guy, I can block anyone.
What does Dan emphasize this camp? Is there anything that he's going to a sticking point that he's focused on this this time? Uh simple. It's just the standard. I mean, in everything that you do to the way it's taught to the way it's done, how it's done, what, why, everything. Uh there's no gray area. It's either you do or you don't. And if you don't, then you're not a Detroit Lions. So, um yeah.
My guy right here. Okay, you tired? Uh, he's good. I mean, it's just like his mother. Uh, yeah, they got good feet and uh I guess they'd know a thing or two.
Have you gotten tips from her after that video going viral? How to do it? Uh, yeah. I mean, uh, she always kicking my technique on the daily as watching film with me. So, uh, it's fun.
You said it's day one on the left side. Day one in pads, Yeah, pads and pads. Pads.
How long is it? Is there a timeline you would expect to feel super comfortable back on that left side? Uh whatever that is. I mean I don't have a timeline but I know it's eight as soon as possible. Like I want it done today but in reality it's not going to be like that. But that's the mindset is uh I have to be the best today and be the greatest today.
So Dan said a couple days ago that the two foundations of this team have to be run the ball and stop the run.
to run offensive times last year wasn't as efficient as you guys were used to just how urgently do you guys feel the need to kind of establish the run this season to prove that that's how you want to Yeah, I think it goes to back to uh those two things that I was talking about whether uh it's technique-wise from old linemen and then working as five as one and uh the run game is a testament to that. So once we get all those two things down I think everything else will follow nicely.
Dan has kind of also talked about potentially playing some starters in the preseason. Do you think because there's so many moving parts on the offensive line that's something that that would help you guys? I mean whatever Dan says, I think it'll help us. So if we go, we go. If we don't, we don't. So
OC Cade Mays
Well, obviously this a kind of a system that's been in place for a number of years. Jared's pretty familiar where they come in. And how has that process been of kind of picking up and trying to get to his level, you know? Yeah, it's been good. Just taking it day by day, leaning on him, letting him help me where, you know, I have questions. And uh Hank's done a great job getting me up to speed and uh Penei, everybody in the room, you know, any questions I have, they've all been great helping me.
Do you feel like that's been pretty smooth? You feel like you're pretty you got a handle on Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
What are the big differences that you've noticed so far between Carolina and Detroit? Um so far, weather it's a lot it's a lot hotter in Carolina than it is up here, but same thing. I mean, you know, camp's a grind and uh you know, just working on coming out here and getting better every day.
Is the system any more or less uh intricate or complicated than it was in college or in Carolina? Um I wouldn't say so. Just different terminology. Just different terminology figuring out, you know, what we call it here versus what we called it um in other places. So,
Working with a young quarterback obviously in in Carolina. What's been the difference with a guy that's been in the league, you know, 10 years that's kind of seen it all? Is that has that been a little bit easier of an approach? Um I wouldn't say easier. Um, both guys do a great job at what they do. And, um, obviously Jared, you know, he's a lot further along in his career. So, I'd say he's learned a few things that that Bryce hasn't. And, uh, so just seeing things and, um, and, uh, you know, just he's really mastered this offense. He's been here so long and um, he's very intricate in in what he knows. So
How much easier does that make your job, you know, just with a guy a veteran guy like who's Yeah. Yeah. It makes my job easy. He's uh anything that I might not see, you know, he's on top of it.
Dave, that quarterback center relationship is obviously crucial. There things that you guys can do, you and Jared can do off the field to help smooth that out as much as Oh, yeah. I mean, we've done dinner and, you know, getting together every chance we can and um you know, just relationships outside of football just make it stronger when you're out here in football. So we went to some place in Birmingham and OTAs. Ah, I'm drawing a blank, but it was good. It was good. Got a steak. It was good.
Did you guys do any work before OTAAS or group training camp? Um yeah, before OTAAS just you know getting in getting together and you know talking through things and um you know what he likes what you know how I see things, how he sees things and just you know got the ball rolling.
A lot of a lot of changes on the offensive line. You know what's the process going to be like just to develop that chemistry and how long do you expect it to take? Yeah, just getting reps with guys. There's no you can't put a timeline on it. just, you know, we come out here, we get reps with everybody during Indie, everybody during team. So, just getting that continuity with and make it to where you don't even notice who's next to you. You just, you know, everybody's won.
First day with pads, just how did you feel that continuity from what you guys have been doing up to this point kind of translated over? Yeah, we communicated good. It's just, you know, those first day pad jitters that, you know, you got to knock the rust off and get back to speed, but um yeah, it was good. Communicated good and uh we'll just keep getting better from here.
What's the challenge of coming into a new organization as a center because of how important that position is for from communication? Yeah, just understanding how they want everything communicated and obviously learning a new offense and um how to get everybody on the right page. Uh the relationship with the quarterback and the in the O line room, just building that.
Does it fall on the quarterback a little bit more initially and then you kind of take it, you know, take over a little bit more? How does that work? I wouldn't say so. I mean, it's just we're all working as one, just however it gets the gets the job done. We're just all trying to, you know, get it done.
The O line standard here has been pretty the past few years. How quickly could you sense that? Yeah, I mean, I knew before I got here, you know, they've had a great offensive line the past few years and um you know, the standard set. So,
Do you feel the communication, you know, when you're in the set and you and the bullets are flying? How do you feel the communication is growing between you and the rest of the line? Yeah, I feel like it's good. It's good. You know, we get on the same page and um and try to put a hat on a hat. So, it's been it's been fun.
Anything particular that Hank has been kind of pushing on you in terms of technique, in terms of mentally, what what's kind of been the focus so far early on? Yeah, there's always I mean plenty of things to get better at. You can focus on multiple things every day to get better at. It's just as a whole, just my game as a whole. Um you know, the this play, this look, this is what we got to do. Hey, tighten up your footwork here and the hands here. It's just every day it's a constant work. So, um really that's what he's been focusing on.
Is there anybody on the defensive line who's particularly giving you good work? Yeah, everybody. I mean, Alim really all the ones. Um very talented defense, defensive front, um front seven. Um you know, we got a we got a good team here.
Besides the vocal communication, are you starting to like notice some of the stuff that you don't say out loud that you like you notice Tate's over here doing this? And I've noticed more and more that Christian does this and like I should fall into that too. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you just you feel things like once you once you play next to dudes for a little while, you know that hey, they see this like I know they see it. This is what's going to happen and it happens. So, um you know, that that comes with the continuity and just seeing how like I know this is what he's going to do. So,
The Lions first preseason game is at Cincinnati on Thursday Aug 13th at 7pm.
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