OC Drew Petzing took his turn at the podium to start Day 7 of camp and touched on a bunch of topics. Drew Petzing Press Event Transcript Start with Gibbs, obviously hasn't been on the practice field. What do you think the offense looks like without him? What do you think you're missing when he's not on the field? I mean, he's one of our best players. You know, we always want him out there, but I know he's going to be ready when the moment comes. So, not concerned about it at all. What is it as far as, you know, with a new coordinator, new system though, um, you know, what is he not taking advantage of, I guess, by not being out there working, I think, more closely with the line, quarterback, all that stuff. I think that's a small piece of it, but you know, for a guy that's played at such a high level, you know, I think his skill set is very obvious. I think we know what that's going to look like when he hits the field for us. So, uh not something we're particularly worried about. I think we can work on those things even when he's not on the field and would expect us to pick up right where he left off when he gets back out there. The flip side of that equation, Drew, is Pacheco is getting a ton of run and um I think people are kind of wondering which Pacheco was this franchise getting early career the last couple seasons. What have you seen from Isaiah here in these this first week of training? Maybe even extending back to OTAs. Yeah, he's been awesome. Uh just the way he approaches the job, how physical and how tough he is, how hard he practices, how much he cares. You know, he can have an unbelievable practice and if there's one rep that he didn't do exactly what he wanted to do or he beats himself up over, he's really hard on himself. And I think that is contagious and it's been fun to work with and really excited to see that continue. I can ask one more. You saw him carry a few tacklers for like an eight-yard run a couple days ago. just how infectious can those kind of plays be for an offense? Oh, it's huge. I mean, as you said it, I think there was contact probably a yard, yard and a half past the line. It ends up being a nine-yard run and that to me is what the run game is about. It's a physical mentality. Uh it's a violent sport and when you got guys like that with the ball in their hand, I think it gets the rest of the other guys on the field excited about seeing that. If I can if I can ask just one more sort of on the Gibbs thing is just on the other side of it for you for yourself, you know, as a coordinator play caller. Um what are you missing by having a special player like Jahmyr not in the fold, you know, that working relationship, seeing what he can do and how you can use them? I think that working relationship is still there. I mean, we're still communicating. We're still talking through practice reps and different looks and things that we want to do or things that I think he can do at a high level. Um, so if anything, it gives me the opportunity to try to highlight some other opportunities and give other guys the ball in practice and see what else we can do um, in those events. I think that's a big part of being an offensive coordinator is adapting to who's available, who's out there, how do we move people around, how are we, uh, dynamic and difficult to defend. And so that's kind of been my focus here these first couple days. I can't give up too much of, you know, what you're looking for, but it's a lot of fans who still getting to know you, still getting to know what the offense going to look like, but what do you feel like is your trademark, your hallmark? What can fans expect to see from, you know, Drew Petzing offense this year? Uh, it needs to be physical. It needs to be tough. Uh, it needs to be difficult to defend and it needs to be multiple at times. You know, it's not going to all run through one person. It's not going to run through one personnel. It's going to change week to week. I think that's important in this league. You know, defensive coordinators, I think, do do things at a really high level. They watch tape. They understand scheme. Um, so I think that's a big part of what we need to be on offense. A lot has been made obviously your use of 13 personnel but obviously the seems like the strength of the you know is the receivers the wide receiver group. How do you balance that you know the position groups and is there a sacrifice you're going to have to make one way or the other? I don't I think it more of an opportunity than a sacrifice. You know it's an opportunity to put your best players on the field and in other places I've been sometimes that was 13 personnel. If it's 11 personnel if it's 10 personnel if it's 01 personnel that's what it's going to be. And I think that's so important to me doing my job at a high level and doing the best job for the organization is making sure that whoever has the ability to affect the game at a high level, I'm putting on the field and giving them that opportunity. How have you kind of uh I guess kind of gone through the calculus of just uh you know, obviously there's so many players that are capable of, you know, making plays on in this offense, but just like balancing like who, you know, who gets the most touches and that's how have you worked through that yourself? But just so far, I guess It's a balance as you said and I think a big part of that is challenging guys and saying, "Hey, you want the ball, go out and earn it." We're in training camp right now. Guys are fighting for roles. They're fighting for touches. They're trying to show me, their teammates, other coaches, this organization what they can do. And I've always said, "You show me you do something at high level. It's my job to put you in that position over and over again." And I think that's what competition is all about. And it brings out the best in us as individuals and as a unit. A lot of move pieces along the offensive line. Just curious now you've gotten to see if you've patted practice. You can't really evaluate until the pads come on. Just what have you liked about that that unit up front. You said you want to be physical, run the football. It obviously starts there. Just what you've seen from those guys. Yeah, I mean you hit on we've had two days in pads. So we're starting to be able to evaluate what guys are capable of, what where we need to improve, what we do well. You know, I think the always the not shocking thing, but the surprising thing is some of those things that worked before the pads came on in team drills in one-on- ones. All of a sudden, when the pads come on, it's a little bit of a different sport. And so, been really pleased with the attitude, the effort, the physicality. Uh there's some execution things and some technique things that we're going to continue to clean up. But I think that's the starting point. If the physicality is not there, the toughness isn't there, the other part doesn't matter. And so, I think we've seen that in two days. Uh and then the other stuff, those details will come as we get through the rest of camp. You just had Greg Dorch for three years in Arizona. I mean, when you guys have you got St. Brown and JMO and Tesla there, but you know what Dorch can bring. So, what can he offer this offense in this? Yeah, I mean, the return skills are, you know, second to none in my opinion. I think he does a great job with the ball in his hand. You know, he plays in the slot a lot or has uh which I think is something he does at a high level. So, just as you said, another tool there and he's got to go out and earn that right now throughout camp. Uh, and I think he's doing a nice job of going out there and competing. Drew, you mentioned that attitude and physicality for the offensive line. Tate said yesterday it feels like that's picked up this year from last year beyond just watching a player win his rep. How do you identify and measure attitude, physicality in your offensive line? Yeah, I think there's two different ways. I mean, some of it is subjective, I guess you could say. Like when you stand on a field or you stand behind a, you know, a line of scrimmage, you can hear it, you can feel it. There there's a I think everybody can to some extent. Even in the in the stands, there's that it just sounds and feels a little bit different. Um, and then I think the other part is you look for those little things, the extra effort, the finish, uh, things that you know maybe weren't there when things aren't going well or you don't have that attitude that need to be there at all times. And I think that's always my challenge to point that out when it's good. But also to say, hey, like this isn't our standard and we need better or we need more. This is why this is why it's important. This is how it helps us win. And that's kind of where I hang my hat. And I think the nice thing is we have guys pane specifically in that room that are going to make sure he holds his teammates to that because he does it at such a high level. Jamo took a pretty significant developmental jump last year. I know you weren't here, but I know you also did a pretty deep dive on the tape study. Where did you challenge him maybe to take that next step? And how is he answering that call? He's answering that call. And I think the nature of that receiver room is they're so competitive. Uh they push each other at such a high level. Kind of starting with Saint there as the leader of that room. And for JMO specifically, I think that, you know, playing physical, playing fast, attacking the football, uh, finishing plays, you know, the speed is second to none. I mean, he can run by everybody. Uh, but what guys are going to try to do to negate that is get their hands on him and make sure he doesn't get off on the line of scrimmage or he can't put, you know, separate at the top of the route. And I think that's where he's tried to really improve of gaining some of that play strength, being faster at the line of scrimmage and playing physical at the top of the route. And I think he's doing a nice job. Personally for you coming in obviously it's so many weapons so many this team so driven to get back you know to the standard they said before is it a healthy pressure that comes along with just turning this thing around a little bit how you dealing with that It is you know and I've been asked about this a couple times I look at pressure as a positive term it's not stress it's something that we signed up for that we love to do uh I think it brings out the best in us so I think you need to be in that situation you know when the game's on the line it's not a relaxing feeling and but you do this job because you love those moments you live for those moment. So, and I think the players do too. With the money running back rooms all of those guys have had, you know, a lot of good days uh out here so far. What's impressed you the most about just like the top to bottom kind of I don't know if you want to call it production that you're getting from that room but talking the running back room. Yeah, I I think you see again it's set by the standard of the top of the room uh in terms of the way he approaches things, the way that he goes about his job. It pushes everyone in that room to be better. Uh you know, the guys in front of them have a lot to do with that as well. You you're not going to run the ball unless the O line's doing their job. But I think it's the, you know, probably one of the things that's most impressive is what they do without the ball in their hand in pass pro, which is something we ask them to do on third down, uh, in the action game. I think that's the part of the job you really find out about running backs of what is their willingness for contact, where is their intelligence at, where are their eyes at, how disciplined are they, you know, outside the building and studying their job, knowing the little details of what we're asking them to do. And, you know, for a lot of guys, when you're not the bell cow back, that's your number one role. And if you can dedicate yourself to that, I think you earn a lot of respect to your coaches and a lot of respect for your teammates. I think we have a number of guys in that room doing that at a high level. When you say that, like you're saying Jahmyr is setting this the standard for that room and how hard or how it's kind of tricky. He's not out there practicing with the pads on and getting beat up, but still setting the standard. He can still he set the standard in the way in what he's done as he's been here and what he did in the spring. You know, he he's a guy who's had every day working his tail off uh first in line, doing everything the right way. uh does not shy away from protection, you know, as the number one back, which I think is extremely important. Uh and I think he's, you know, as I've talked about, he's very smart player. Um and he's always trying to help those guys in that room understand how he sees things, how he does things. Uh and I think you can do that no matter where you're at. A few things if you sort of big picture Dan said like in the spring you guys were focused on sort of like the meat and potatoes plays, right? like running them, getting really good at them, but doing a lot of different looks with different bells and whistles. What's sort of the progression? Like what is the focus right now? Where you at Yeah, sorry to cut you off there. I don't know if we'll ever shy away from that. Like you have to be good at what you're good at and you have to find ways to do it differently. And then the other reality right now is we've only done it in two days with pads. So we need to make sure that when the pads come on, we still do those things at a high level and that we can do it in the run game, in the passing game, on third down, in situational football. So, I think we're still in that process. You know, as we get closer to the end of camp, you start to turn a little bit more into game plan mindset of who are we playing, all right, what is the front, where are the key matchups, how do we exploit those types of things. But I think right now the focus is very much still on how do we get better at what we are and how do we complement that with some of those things. The other thing I want to ask you is just about the tight end room. Just, you know, what do you what do you make of it so far? You've got a lot of moving parts in there with different guys coming in and out and injuries and You know the unfortunate reality of training camp is you are going to have some guys with some nicks and bruises kind of in and out and I think it gives those other guys an opportunity to show what they're capable of doing and it also puts a lot of stress on the coaches which is great you know that to get guys ready to make sure they know what they're doing or how they're doing. I think Steve's done a great job with that. Um but it is it's been fun to have Sam out there. Uh Brock Wright, you know, arguably one of the most reliable pros, you know, in this organization just in terms of the role he has for us as an offense. Um, so pleased with where we're at and uh, you know, want that competition to continue in that room. Drew, you've had OTAs, you've had training camp, TBD on how much or if the starters will be playing in the preseason, I guess. What are some of the keys that you use as a coordinator to make sure that everybody's comfortable, yourself included, and on the same page before that first game? Yeah, I think Dan does such a great job of that just in terms of the way he structures our day, structures the practices. You know, you're going to see a lot of move the ball, call it periods, different situations that he's putting guys in. he's putting coordinators in, which is just great from a learning standpoint, an education standpoint, a communication standpoint. Uh because always things come up, even in the course of a 17-game season, you don't hit every situation, and you don't end up in all those situations necessarily. So, when you can do them and they're authentic, it makes people think, oh, you know, we could have done that here. We could do this here. Make sure we're good at that. Is everybody on the same page here? And I think Dan does such a great job of that throughout camp so that we're ready come week one. Do you feel like there's value of having starters in the preseason maybe from a procedural standpoint to for I think it goes both ways. I think there's so many factors that go into whether that happens and you know ultimately well above my pay grade so not worried about it. Drew Petzing Exclusive Interview with Lions Brooke Kirchhofer Day six of Detroit Lions training camp practice just wrapped. I'm joined with new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Preing. I'm Brooke Kirchoffer out at the Meyer Performance Center. Coach, few days now with the new offense. First impressions. It's been great. Finally put the pads on. So, we're getting closer to playing some real football. Uh I think the guys are working hard. It's physical. It's tough. Uh but we're getting better and I think that's really where we need to be. Now, you mentioned the pads. There's going to be some new faces once things shake out on who the starting five will be on the offensive line. And what have you maybe learned from that group early on in pads? I think you start to see that toughness. It's a different game when the pads come on and things that were easy or you got away with before the pads come on become much more real. And I think you start to see guys separate themselves and who really wants it and who's about it and who has that ability and you start to see some guys realize, all right, I got to pick it up. I got to take another step. I got to find a way to improve if I want to be here. Uh, and I think that's really what we're looking for. Things are coming together on the offensive line. What have you seen from the rookie Blake Miller? Maybe leaning on some of the veterans in that room. Uh yeah, I think the rookies have done a really nice job of coming in and embracing the culture. You know, I think that all starts with Penei Sewell. He's an unbelievable player. He's an unbelievable leader and I think when you walk in that room, you know the standard and you know that he's going to do it and he's going to hold you to it and I think it makes everybody around him better. A lot of weapons on this offense. I know you've got to be excited, especially with a quarterback with such a high completion percentage year in and year out. What has stood out to you the most that's maybe gotten you excited ahead of the season? I think just having the weapons and so many different people that can make plays and change the game. You know, we'll draw up plays and we have scheme, we have reasons we do things, but at the end of the day, it's about those guys going out there and making plays and, you know, when you have the level of talent that they've been able to build here between Brad and Dan over the last six years, uh, it's really fun to be a part of, and it creates a lot of problems for other teams. We'll get more specific now to the quarterback Jared Goff, your first year working with him. How would you describe how the OC/QB relationship maybe looks like behind the scenes and how you two work together? Yeah, I think it's a very close relationship. I you know, maybe that's what people assume, but it's constant conversations. I'm getting calls on my way into work. I'm getting texts at home. You know, I'm calling him and texted him, and it's you know, you could be in the middle of the day on an off day and something pops into your brain and the first person I'm going to go to is him and he's probably going to hit me first and say, "Hey, can we do this? Are we thinking about that? What do we do here?" Uh it's something that I I've loved as I've gotten to know him is he never puts it down or walks away from it. I'm very much that way. Uh so it's been so much fun to just challenge each other and push each other uh to get the best out of each other. And I think that's really what stood out to me here these first couple months. It's interesting you mentioned the comparison just watching now six days of practice. You guys almost have the same demeanor out there. Just business as usual day in and day out. Doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low. How do you think that makes him one of the most effective quarterbacks in the NFL? I think it's a huge part of playing that position. You have to have a short memory. You have to be even keel. You can't live and die on every play. Uh you do the best you can. Every time the ball snapped, you reset. You get back in the huddle and you do it again. I think that's so important to play in that position at a high level and I obviously as you said he's done it that way for so long. Uh it's really impressive. All right. Outside looking in, what made this job so appealing to you before getting here? I think a lot of the things we've talked about so far, you know, it's the talent they've been able to build here, the culture, the attitude, the way that they do things as an organization from ownership on down. Uh it's a special place and it was, you know, just uh I was thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of it and it's been everything probably more than I expected uh when I first took the job. Well, we heard from Sam Leaporta. He's excited you're here. You've typically had a tight end friendly offense. Can you take us into that a little bit and how maybe the NFL in general is maybe going more toward tight end friendly sets that they've been running. Yeah, you've certainly seen that trend around the NFL. I think a lot of that again is going to be talent driven. You know, I've been around a lot of great tight ends, which has been awesome. So, their production has increased, and that's kind of the challenge you make to the offense. Say, "Hey, you want to have production in this offense? You have to show me that you can do things at a really high level." Sam has certainly done that throughout his career, and it needs to continue every time we step on the field. Um, and I think that's kind of what you're seeing throughout the NFL, the matchups that are created in the passing game, the things that these guys can do in the run game. Uh, it makes them and the offense very difficult to defend. You're also known for your run game. What would you say is your staple or most important philosophy in that area? I feel like I'm coping out a little bit here, but it all comes back to what do the guys do best. You know, I can come in here and say, "Hey, we're going to run this type of scheme and we're going to do it this way all the time, but if the guys on the field, that's not what plays to their strength. We're not going to get the best out of the offense." So that to me is a lot of what the offseason in training camp is about is figuring out what schemes we are good at, why how we can dress them up, how we can complement them, what fits our players best. I think that's so important in the run and the pass game. And then part of the run game is about attitude. You know, I think the overall mentality of a run game, and I've said this to the offense, and I've challenged them on this, is at the end of the day, if you're really good at running it, you should be able to tell the other team you're doing it. And if they can't stop you, it's really hard to defend. Uh, and I think that's a mindset as much as it is execution. You talk about your scheme and it really depends on the talent and wanting to utilize what you have in the room. So, how have they kind of responded to what you've brought to the table? How has it been meshing with the new guys on offense? I think it's a big part of the culture that was probably here before I got here. And I think you see it every day of practice. These guys go out and compete. You know, Saint's been doing this how long now? And he's done it at such a high level, but if you looked out there, he's probably going as hard as he did his rookie year as he's trying to make a name for himself in this league. And I think that attitude, that effort, that intensity brings out the best in all of them. And again, as you said, it's going to show me, hey, if you want it, let's go get it. Let's earn it and make sure the ball comes to you because I got to look everybody else in the eye and make sure we're doing the best things for the team. That's got to stem from the head coach. I have to ask you, and I think everybody wants to know, too, what that relationship is like with Dan Campbell. It's been uh probably again more than I ever imagined. I I'm a sponge. Like, I ask questions, pick his brain. Uh not in awe of him at times, but you just feel really blessed to have the opportunity to learn from him, work under him, uh challenge him, and try to make him better as he pushes me. Um, and it's been awesome. I've learned a ton, uh, grown a ton as a coach, as a person. So, it's been great. You've learned a lot from Dan Campbell. You've obviously been at a couple spots before this. Your path as an offensive coordinator. Is there anything unique about your journey that maybe people might not know? I think I've been very fortunate to be a lot of around a lot of great coaches in a small amount of time. You know, I think back to six years in Minnesota, four offensive coordinators, you know, uh Pat Shurmer, Norv Turner, Gary Kubak, Kevin Stefanski, like so many different people I think helped grow me as a coach, grow me as a person to help me get to this opportunity. Um I'm very fortunate of that. Um but that's probably the biggest thing that maybe people don't know or weren't aware of. We know that people know you and Ben Johnson, the familiarity with him. How often are you guys maybe even still communicating, keeping in touch? You were a groomsman, I believe, in his wedding. Yeah, so we gaed together at Boston College for two years and got really close. He was in my wedding, I was in his wedding. Um I hope they lose every game this year. No, I'm kidding. Uh but no, he he's a very close friend. He he's a person I put a ton of trust in uh as a friend, as a mentor. Uh I know he's not going to give me any insight in for any help. You know, I think we're way past that. Um but no, we talk, you know, regularly. Uh someone that that I'm going to rely on for football and a lot of things outside of football. And uh yeah, he is he's a special person that I really do enjoy being acquainted with. Big into golf and that stems from back in Massachusetts. Uh can you give the fans a little peak behind the curtain as the caddying days? And so I I grew up caddying. That was my high school, my college job. So I love the game. I put the clubs away. I'm done playing. They're not going to come out till after the season. Uh but it is it's a fun sport. It's a challenging sport. Uh it's a mentally draining sport. Uh Wellsley High School native run the Rocket Mortgage Classic this weekend, so got to give him a shout out. uh always like to watch him play and but I did I grew up around the game. Love Caddy and I'm happy to carry bags for a little bit of extra money when needed and uh it was a great job growing up. Well, coach, we so appreciate the time. We're happy to have you here in Detroit and good luck this season. Yeah, appreciate it. Thanks a lot. Transcripts are created with the assist of AI

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. Lions OT Larry Borom - Jeff Nguyen 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, RB Sione Vaki, LB Malcolm Rodriguez (Left) New Updates Lawrence Keys (leg) Has a hamstring injury, no timeline provided Anthony Firsker (leg) Placed on Reserve/Injured with a fractured fibula. He is now out for the season. Sione Vaki (poked in the eye) Campbell said Vaki has a broken nose and will miss some time to heal up. Likely back with a visor sooner than later 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 Missed his 5th straight practice TE Miles Kitselman (Concussion) Will be out awhile (Team signed TE Nick Muse after Press Event this morning) LB Jimmy Rolder (Leg) Campbell identified his injury as a Hamstring and re-stated he will be out for a while. EDGE Derrick Moore (Groin) Expected to miss 7-10 days with a groin strain Left Practice Malcolm Rodiriguez (Ankle) Was back on field playing with daughter after practice, so likely not serious Transactions Lions re-signed TE Zach Horton and placed TE Anthony Firkser on Reserve/Injured putting him out for the season. The Lions worked out former St Louis Battlehawks RB Kylin James today (signed) Also hosted RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Hassan Haskins and Kylin James Training Camp Day 6 Observations from the Lions Media General Observations Fans were back in attendance, and it was also Dog Adoption Day at the Lions practice Day 2 of full pads, Campbell promised slightly longer session and more reps The run game was emphasized in practice and looked to be pretty successful Catch of the day was a Teddy Bridgewater to Dominic Lovett 50-yard bomb where Lovett shook McCreary after catch for an eventual 80-yard TD. Caveat is that Tyler Lacy would likely have disrupted the play if Bridgewater could have been hit. It was observed that the defense missed a wheel route for the second day in a row, definitely an area for opportunity. Jake Bates was noticeably more sharp today, hitting a perfect 7 of 7 including three from 50 plus (2x 51 & 59) and the 41-yard winner in situation drills (below). One of his 51-yarders apparently cleared the bar by 20+ yards and hit the facilities building. Situation drills to end practice 1st Team Offense on their own 24, trailing 30-27 with 34 seconds on the clock and one timeout 1st & 10 at 24: Goff to St Brown for 13 and out of bounds 1st & 10 at 34: Goff incomplete due to McNeil pressure 2nd & 10 at 34: Goff incomplete to St Brown 3rd & 10 at 34: Goff incomplete to St Brown (Clark would have been called for DPI in a game) 4th & 10 from 34: Goff incomplete to Williams (observed to be perfect pass and drop by Williams) Defense Wins 2nd Team Offense on own 40, trailing 28-27, with 31 seconds on the clock 1st & 10 at 40: Bridgewater Incomplete to Wilson (Rucker PBU) Defense Offside 1st & 10 at 45: Bridgewater to Meeks for 13 1st & 10 at 42: Bridgewater to Meeks for 5 2nd & 5 at 37: Bridgewater to Meeks for 16 Jake Bates 41-yard FG, right down Broadway for the win Depth Chart Observations by Position Group OL Mahogany saw an increase in his 1st Team Reps at LG, but Scruggs was still rotating in Cochrane and Priestly were observed on 2nd OL RBs Saylors and Pacheco split 1st team reps Jabari Small received 2nd team reps with Vaki and Gibbs out WRs Dominic Lovett and Greg Dortch received 2nd team reps TE Thomas Gordon was pulling 2nd team reps with all the injuries DL 1st Unit continues to be Hutch-McNeil-Williams- Lacy (Wonnum - nickel) Onwuzurike was noted as producing against 3rd team, but struggling against 2nd team Onwuzurike and Hassanein were on the 2nd Unit DL Mehki Wingo earned a few 1st team reps LBs Nowaske played well when getting 1st team reps and on 2nd team Safety Same players in same roles Nickel Izien and McCreary and Abney Outside CBs Whiteside looked like he had gotten a promotion up the depth chart, saw work against the Lions top WRs 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 - Ratledge mentioned he was building chemistry with Miller right now like he had with Sewell last year. Ratledge said he is smart and doing a phenomenal job so far. 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 more PBUs and looks really good on special teams Kendric Law - Done for season with a torn ACL suffered win OTA Week 2 practices Skyler Gill-Howard - No mention today Tyre West - No mention today UDFAs Luke Altmyer - No mention today Miles Kitselman - Will be out awhile Anthony Lucas - No mention today Erick Hunter - No mention today Erik O'Neil - No mention today Aiden Keanaaina - No mention today Amaris Brown - Had another highlight reel PBU today Melvin Priestly - Had good reps in 1-on-1s against fellow rookies West and Hill-Howard De'Shawn Rucker - Had a PBU in the situation drills for 2nd team Lions WR Jamo/St Brown, Edge Hassanein, DB Brown and DB Maddox Photos - Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions Dan Campbell Day 6 Press Conference Day 6 of training camp brought Dan Campbell to the podium sharing some additional injury news, talks about several players flying under the radar and a big breakthrough in the Lions lone player missing practice waiting on a new deal. Below is a quick summary of the items he was asked and answered: Lions Coach Dan Campbell Day 6 Press Event Injury Summary New: Anthony Firkser - Fractured Fibula. Placed on Reserve/Injured Sione Vaki - Eye injury and Fractured Nose. Miss a bit, will come back with visor Lawrence Keys - Hamstring 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 Rolder injury is a Hamstring, be out for a while Kitselman - will be out for awhile Derrick Moore - Strain, 7-10 day Updates Gibbs - Campbell mentioned a "back" issue during conditioning test, but it isn't serious Bijan Robinson signed his deal this morning, Gibbs should be back on field quickly Quick Hitters Zach Horton was resigned as a result of Firkser going on the reserve/Injured list Campbell talked about putting the pads on and how the pad level and how both sides will continue to adapt. Wasn't long but will continue to add reps in padded and will add more today. loves Dortch, brings more to the WR room and return games than anticipated Campbell said Devin White and WILL LB are a natural fit, system suites him. Said he can still run, get his weight down, and work him into practice and be smart with him. Se where he can go with it. On TeSlaa, what does progress look like? more growth, can't just be down the field, expand route tree. Work at LoS, understand the route options are next progression. We see more than basics with him. Campbell changed 1-on-1 on Day 1 of tackling from a live tackling to a drill one that was more one-move only, allows to get some guys in there they held out in years past, but will get back to the full-on drill later in camp. Media Scrums with Players The Lions had media availability with OG Tate Ratledge, CB Ennis Rakestraw, LB Devin White and WR Greg Dortch. Lions Ratledge, Rakestraw, White and Dortch hold Media Scrum OG Tate Ratledge Dan said to us that on Monday defense won the day. What the challenge to you guys today? What was that message like and how do you feel like you guys responded? I mean, we all knew we needed to come out and be more physical today and I think that's kind of the flow of camp. It's going to be defenses good for a few days and offense is good for a few days and it's just kind of that flow of thing and riding the wave and trying to stay consistent through the whole thing. How do you see different from this offensive line just a year ago? Obviously, there's a little acclamation period, but with some new pieces and the way guys moved around. Um, I think the attitude as a whole, the physical attitude, the mindset in the meeting room and on the field is different this year. I'd say it's a lot better. Um, and just the way we attack every day at practice. Last year as a rookie, I assume you were drinking water from a fire hose. Now that you're in your sophomore season, how much more comfortable do you feel? Yeah, drinking from a fire hose to say the least. Um, you know, a lot more. I had a lot of learning experiences uh last year. So, trying to build on those and not let those things happen again. Um had, like I said, a lot of learning experiences from last year. What was the biggest takeaway that you got and what was the biggest thing that you would take from that? Um first off, how long the season is? Um you always heard it coming out of college and all that, but you never really think about it until that you're actually in it. And I was in it last year, so kind of being able to expect that and then how fast and how physical the game is through all 18 weeks. So with new faces and also new guys in new places, how long do you think it takes to really gel and feel like you're focused? I mean, that's what we're out here for. We get reps at it every day, whether that's passing off stunts in the pass game, the run game, fitting up on combos, learning the guy next to you. That's what we're out here for to do this every day. So hopefully as camp goes on, we keep getting better and better together. How do you I guess how do you gauge that or how do you feel that when you're out there? It's just reps. Like >> I was playing next to Penei last year. Penei is one of the best tackles of football. Obviously things felt weird next to him at first, certain ways he plays it, but once you get used to it, it flows. So, kind of building that with Blake right now and uh Cade right now and every day it just gets a little bit better. I want to talk about that dynamic with the right tack because obviously you're a rookie last year. You have the benefit of having Kane there. Now you've got a rookie on your side. Do you feel like you kind of have to grow up quick and maybe be a little bit of a mentor to Blake out there? Yeah, I'm going to try as much as I can, but Blake is really smart. Um he is picking things up very well from what I can see. um he's never looking at me really asking questions and when he does it's I try to help him out as much as I can but I think he's doing a phenomenal job so far. Do you feel like there's still maybe a little more additional pressure though with you given that you have two new pieces between you this year? I mean I wouldn't necessarily say more pressure. It's just like we just talked about building those reps and getting cohesiveness. How much uh I mean is it an emphasis to kind of reestablish I guess you know that that I guess veracity with the run game that you guys uh you know kind of were known for. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's a big emphasis we have to be able to run the ball. Being able to run the ball opens up everything else in the offense and being able to run the ball against somebody's will is demoralizing to another team. So that's our goal to get back to that. >> I mean what gives you the confidence that like with this group that you know you can reestablish that? >> Um the mindset. Um, I think everybody on offensive line right now has a mindset that we're going to go out there and be more physical than the guy in front of us. And right now, we're going up against a really good defense and a really good defensive line. So, it's really testing us and building us up. What does that edge do, you think, you know, to opponents when you when you do have that kind of I mean, if you can run the ball at will, it's demoralizing. I mean, I think if you ask any defense out there, if somebody's able to run the ball on you at will, it's there's not much you can do. When you talk about the attitude maybe working differently than we do. How does what does that mean or what do you Um like I think it's just a little different having a new center. We go into have to go into things a little bit more differently um with him and explaining things to him and so he picks it up and I think it's just kind of bringing everybody else along with it. You kind of mentioned that that relentless you know rushing attack that's something Drew has talked about is that you know be able to say hey we're going to run it there's nothing you can do about it. How much wicked is you for that concept guys? Very much so. I mean, we have one of the best backs in the league. Uh there is should be no reason we should not be able to run the ball on people. Um I think Cade fits in well. He's I think he's a very good run blocker feeling. Our double teams, you can tell. Um but I think he's coming along great in this offense. How much of a difference just in mentality does two make for you? A lot. Everything's a lot clearer. like I'm seeing the big picture now, not just my assignment, what's in front of me. I'm seeing things coming before they happen. So, I don't know. I think it's just a lot more clarity in our offense and on the field. Things have slowed down. Yeah, it really felt like everything was very unsettled last year, especially with the offensive line. How important was it for that unit to just be completely almost completely solidified coming into the season? I mean, I feel like it's a very cliche thing you hear in football that everything starts up front, but that truly is how it is. And if we don't protect, we're not passing the ball. If we don't run block, we're not going to be able to run the ball. So, it truly does start with us. And that's something we've we know and we're trying to buy into and get it done. Anything stand out from the other side of the line early here in the game Man. Alen.Um I told him I told somebody the other day how excited I am to get a full camp against him at when he's 100%. Because he is a he's he's really good and obviously what I saw from him last year in practice, he is a completely different player now. Um he's explosive, strong, so he's getting me better every day and we're going to go back and forth, but me going against him every day gets me better. There's so many moving pieces on the offensive line this year. Do you think you benefit from some preseason snaps altogether? Yeah, sure. CB Ennis Rakestraw Did you bulk up at all? It looks like you were a little bit. I bulked up and then, you know, getting your camp body, you start kind of slimming down a little bit. So, I'm back at like the 192 range. That's where you want to be. Yeah. Yeah. How do you feel at that weight? Feel good. I mean, in college, I played at 188, 190, so kind of around my range. They keep saying to you, as you just said, that they need you in this camp. Is through the first few days when you guys are sitting in the meetings, you're looking at the tape. What's the feedback you're getting early on here? Uh, the nickel kind of picked up for me. I'm getting better every day. You know, might have an Emmy earlier, and then just fix it, correct it. All coach came do is say whatever mistake you made, I said, don't make it today and just keep growing. That's all I can do. How much is this camp different for you? I mean, you were trying to fight for a role, but now you've got an opportunity to be kind of a number two guy, play a big role in this team. Just how much have you been looking forward to the start of camp and being able to kind of play a big bigger part than you you've been used to the last couple years? I just say for me it's day by day. Uh like I said, I've been injured a few times. So, I'll just focus on today. After today, okay, I made out of practice, go to meet, see what I need to correct tomorrow, do what I got to do after that, make the practice. I'm just day to day now. Like I changed my mind from thinking long-term, I'm on short term right now. and then long-term go eventually pick up. So right now healthy today, pray, thank God, go fix what I need to fix tomorrow. How's that short-term mindset working out for you? I mean I mean it kind of go my position, you know, like you go get beat at DB is just short term. Like if I go out there and still think about what happened last play, it could happen again and again and again and then some bad stuff happen. So just next play mentality with everything I do in my life now. When the game is taken away from you though, how much does that change your hunger coming into training camp? I mean, it really don't change my hunger because I'm in Detroit for one reason. I never thought I'd be in Detroit without football. So, when I'm here and I can't play and I can't do it and I'm just in Detroit, I'm like, dang. Like, I'm here for football and I can't play it. So, it kind of puts like bad taste in your mouth, but what you going to do to get out of it? That's all you can do. And it was two years ago this team drafted you in the second round and obviously still has high hopes for you. Just how hungry, how eager are you to try to prove them right this year two, three years later? I feel eager because a lot of, you know, things been happening off the field, but I feel eager. I got to step up big this year. I mean, just for my last name and the Lions name, you know, first I get all the bad rep for, you know, the media sometimes. And then for my teammates, like they depend on me. They see the work I put in and it's a lot of stuff that people don't see in the inside. So, I just got to piece together so when it's time to show, I can show. Ennis, when you get those that work against Jingle when that that one-on-one work, I mean, obviously didn't get a lot of it last year just cuz Andrew, I don't remember what you got as a rookie. What does that mean for you? What does that do for you? Your confidence, your ability to guard top receivers? That helped me out a lot cuz it's not always like in a game you ain't going to win every rep and you ain't going to lose every rep either, but it's about competing for the ball and then he won one and I got a punch out. I mean, keep getting better. He going to get better on the punch out. I'm going to get better on the fade. Just it just keep getting better. That's all I can do. You slip on the one that he won, too. I slipped on it, but it's football like it's going to happen next play. We got into team segments. Didn't allow nothing next play. That's why I keep saying next place. Things going to happen in here. They get paid a lot of money, too. You know what I'm going to happen. >> And I don't know that punch out. Is that something you've been you I mean punch out I always been a punch out guy but it's go it got to uptake here. We need more turnovers cuz like I said they going to catch the ball they looking the next level they looking to score then somebody right behind them and punch the ball. That's just important as a complete incompletion in my opinion. You wore number two in college right? Yeah. To be back in number two. Do you feel a little more rejuvenated? Yeah two. I got a lot of history behind too. Uh I'm a junior so that's another reason why I wear two. But yeah it's happy to get my old number back. said that. LB Devin White What type of style are you trying to bring here to this team? Uh man, I just uh I don't know. Just be a great teammate uh and play hard, man. I think that's what I was known for all my time, you know, in college, high school, and most NFL just playing hard, flying to the ball. And I think uh my natural athletic ability will take over for itself when I'm in position. So, just being smart and all those plays going to come cuz that's something that I do a lot. You were top three in tackles last year in Vegas. This team also had a guy who was top three in tackles last year with Jack Campbell. How do you envision yourself playing off of what Campbell is here for this defense? Uh they're going to try to key in and stop him and I'm going to just fly to the ball and make some plays. That'll be the nice way to do it. But no, man, Jack a great communicator, you know. Uh he's a great uh leader and he really know this playbook in and out and you know that's a compliment to him and being able to be in his system for a lot of years. You know uh you know nothing new to him. He's just rolling and sharpening his knife and I like that about him. So if I got to ask him, hey, what I got or you know, hey, what's the best technique? He can tell me cuz he been doing it for a while. But man, I try to lean on myself and my preparation to be able to just help him play even faster cuz he ain't got to worry about a guy like me beside him. You're a former linebacker at LSU now playing for a former linebacker at LSU and Kelvin Shepard. What's the relationship like that you've had in the past with Shep and how much did that lead to you wanting to come here and play for this defense? I think uh in the past it was more of a ball relationship cuz you know when he went back to work for LSU I was already gone and now that I'm here under his wing and can talk to him every day without him being a rival of mine you know just being on a different team I think it's going to grow even stronger you know I'm going to get to know him on a personal level and more brotherhood level and I'm truly excited about that especially being natives of you know the Fighting Tigers so I want to grow that relationship with them on and off the field. You been here like three days you got a smattering your first team reps ready? Like is your goal to start? How do you think you can help the team in that that sort of role? Uh I think the goal is just to be the best version of myself and that's what Ccoach Dan told me. He said, "Man, I played against you when I was in New Orleans and man, you gave us troubles. We always had to highlight you for just running around just giving us, you know, just causing hell and I want you to do that here." So I don't really think about nothing. Uh, I think when the more you think, the more you get in your head and you forget about, you know, all the small things that you got to control that I can control, which is like being on time, learning the playbook, making sure I'm in the best shape of my life and being the best teammate ever. I think uh they control all the depth chart things and whenever Ham tell me to go in, I just run out there fast as I can so he won't put somebody else in. So that that's all that I'm trying to do. And I feel like if I just keep doing that and just stay humble, I feel like that uh my role will increase and I'll get better and better within the defense and I'll be able to help these guys uh make plays like I mean we went live and I made two tackles today. It felt really good and I made a lot of tackles last year but I'm still hungry to make some more. So I'm really excited about that man and I'm really uh thankful you know God gave me this opportunity. It's a great opportunity and I don't want to let it pass me by. You done a lot of tackling to the ground in your past in camp. I mean when I was with Bruce Arens n I mean we had a lot of older guys that played a lot of ball and he wanted to get them to the season and that was his mindset but over here we got a lot of young healthy spring chicken is what I like to call it and we flying around so I can't uh iterate nothing with another team and another coach and how they do it with this team uh what this team do and what this coach do is was going to make this team better. So I'm buying in to what them do. I'm not even talking about my past to the other players and how I had it in camp. I'm just coming out here and doing what they asked me to do. And I think that's what's important for me. What's it been like getting into other guys in the linebacker? Oh, it's kind of cool. I mean, I think everybody in there got a personality. Damone, uh, he was one of my backups at LSU. Uh, Jack, you know, just kind of being a fellow linebacker, you know, when I was in Tampa, obviously, he was here. Just kind of watching each other. You know, you always know what other good linebackers around the league doing. So, being able to be in a room with him is cool. And then I feel like everybody else in the room, uh, DB, we all taking a liking to one another. Nobody selfish. Everybody out here hungry and competing. So, I think it's cool. Feel like you're in shape. See, you still working on the side. You getting there? Getting to where you Yeah, I feel like I'm in shape, but uh my reps being limited. So, when I go on the side, it's just more of a I'm not getting all the reps that everybody else getting. So, I just go get some sprints in, try to get 80 85%. So, when I put me in there even more, I'll be even more ready. So, it ain't it ain't nothing about uh nothing. Just trying to just stay on task with the team cuz whatever they do, I want to do. But right now, they got a plan for me and I'm trusting in the plan. So whenever they ready for me to stop doing reps on the side running and get more reps in the uh team period, I'm going to be ready for it. WR Greg Dortch You've been relishing that feeling, Man. I mean, when you come out here, you you're literally trying to see if you can get that feeling every single Sunday. How old were you when did that? Uh I was about 8 years old. Yeah. I've been chasing that adrenaline ever since. Can you walk me through what you were doing with the jugs, too? I mean, it seemed like you got a very specific routine. I don't have this 2002 thing. What do you do with Just trying to catch as many balls as possible from uh different angles. Um, man, just reps really. Um, the more reps you can get, the better you get. Um, and catching is all just reps and confidence. So, just trying to do that. Um, and setting myself apart from others. How much is this offense similar to what you were used to? How much has Dan put his touch on it and I guess just how quickly you been able to assimilate yourself? There's some similarities, but of course, uh, we have different guys here than we had in Arizona, so just trying to get guys in the best matchups possible. Um, but having Drew here, it makes things comfortable for me. Um, I'm allow I'm able to play faster. Um, but yeah, it's some it's some differences and some similarities for sure. You know, we've seen that the first couple weeks. Just the opportunity that you have here to kind of be involved with this offense and make plays and finding ways to get you the ball. It seems like that's a fun part for you over the over the course of the week and a half. Uh, I think it is. Um, anytime I can come out here and just help the team, however that is, whether it's punt return, kick return, um, jumping in the slot outside, whatever I can do, man, to help the team win, that's what I want to do. So, it's been fun, man. We got couple more couple more practices. Um, full padded. Um, today we went live. That was fun to jump back in there and get tackled. Um, so it's just fun, man, coming out here and competing. How important is that aspect of it, the pads part and getting that tackle and that contact? Um, as a player, man, you kind of don't It's weird because we're so far away from football really and as a player you're like, "Ah, I don't know about getting tackled so early. Um, but once you come out here, man, it's just it's just fun. It's football. Like, you can't play football without getting tackled. So, it's just fun to come out here and compete. Um, and obviously, man, the coaches know what we need and we just listen to them and do what they tell us to do. For someone who has spent some time around Drew, what kind of insight can you lend to what goes on inside his head? Kind of the mad scientist as an offensive coordinator. Uh, I really don't know what goes on inside of his head. Um, Drew is a really smart guy. Um, he knows how to get guys open. Um, and I'm sure he'll be able to do that this year. How exciting is it just to be part of an offense like this that has so many weapons and so many dynamic players and possibilities? Man, it's super exciting. Uh, the only offense I can think that kind of could compare to this is the offense in Arizona that I had in '21, AJ Green, De Hop, uh, Christian Kirk. We had some studs, man. Um, but to come over here and be a part of something like this and not only the players, but just the culture of Detroit, man, the fans, just everybody, man. You can tell that winning is serious here and they love their football. So, I'm excited to be a part of that. The Lions first preseason game is at Cincinnati on Thursday Aug 13th at 7pm. Transcripts are created with an assist from AI

Dan Campbell Camp Day 6 Press Event 08/04/26 Dan Campbell kicked off his Day 6 press event with injury updates, including loss of Firkser to reserve/Injured list with a fractured fibula, Vaki getting a broken nose and the re-signing of TE Zach Horton. Injury Summary New: Anthony Firkser - Fractured Fibula. Placed on Reserve/Injured Sione Vaki - Eye injury and Fractured Nose. Miss a bit, will come back with visor Lawrence Keys - Hamstring 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 form offseason Rolder injury is a Hamstring, be out for a while Kitselman - will be out for awhile Derrick Moore - Strain, 7-10 day Updates Gibbs - Campbell mentioned a "back" issue during conditioning test, but it isn't serious Bijan Robinson signed his deal this morning, Gibbs should be back on field quickly Quick Hitters Zach Horton was resigned as a result of Firkser going on the reserve/Injured list Campbell talked about putting the pads on and how the pad level and how both sides will continue to adapt. Wasn't long but will continue to add reps in padded and will add more today. loves Dortch, brings more to the WR room and return games than anticipated Campbell said Devin White and WILL LB are a natural fit, system suites him. Said he can still run, get his weight down, and work him into practice and be smart with him. Se where he can go with it. On TeSlaa, what does progress look like? more growth, can't just be down the field, expand route tree. Work at LoS, understand the route options are next progression. We see more than basics with him. Campbell changed 1-on-1 on Day 1 of tackling from a live tackling to a drill one that was more one-move only, allows to get some guys in there they held out in years past, but will get back to the full-on drill later in camp. Dan Campbell Press Event Transcript Opening Comment How's everybody doing? How are you? Good. Good. Uh Vaki yesterday, you know, got poked in the eye, broken nose. Uh so he going to be out for a little bit here. Um uh we're hopeful, you know, vision should be okay in time, you know, uh we're not going to have him here today. Um just going to let him kind of recover a little bit. Um, so we think he'll be okay. He's just going to need a minute here. It was just one of those freak things. Somehow, you know, a hand gets through the face mask. It was unbelievable. Um, and uh, you know, Firkser uh, he's got a fractured fibula. Um, so he'll be out obviously. Um, and then, uh, Keys had a little bit of a hammy. So, got Horton back today, uh, at the tight end position. Um, and we move on. We move on. Day two of pads here and uh you know man I thought it was competitive. I thought uh there was some really good things yesterday man. I thought the D line came off the ball. They looked like they took the sled work uh to team and that was good to see. So I'm looking forward to the offense responding today. It'll be good. Dan. Obviously the eyes gravitate toward the big guys because you can't evaluate anything until those pads come on. What would you like? You mentioned the defensive line. What else did to maybe pop out to you? What did you like about the pads coming on with those guys in the trenches? Well, it just makes it real, right? And that's the first thing that always happens on one side of the ball is when you put the pads on you, you think you're playing low. You think you're doing the drill work at a until you get somebody on you. And now we all got our pads on and the pad level really becomes important and you have to get a taste of it. uh before you realize and it'll adapt players will adapt and adjust off of it. Like today you're going to see guys play lower today, you know, and so that old line's going to play lower. Well, then the D line's going to have to get under them to play. So, it it's just good, man. That's how you get better and it gets competitive. But, man, I love the violence of it. Uh the way these guys played, I thought they were aggressive. Um, I thought we were smart though too without you know we don't want to do anything stupid but I man I thought it was what we were looking for the first day and it wasn't very long. There weren't very many reps. We'll amp the wraps up uh the reps up today. It' be a little bit longer and get some good periods in. >> Obviously um some opportunities for some guys behind him on the depth chart. You guys clearly liked what you saw in Saylors all last year. He looks a little quicker maybe a little leaner. He [snorts] was coming off that UFFL season last year. you know, how is he different, I guess, coming into this camp after having a couple big plays from camp yesterday. Well, he's been in our system now. You know, he got a full year with us. He's banked a lot of reps, particularly on special teams, but he's been in that room. I mean, he's uh he's been in there with Choice and Gibbs and Montgomery and now this year with Isiah. Um, but he knows the system, you know, and he's a smart guy. He's conscientious. Um, and so that's always going to help when you come into camp. and you're like, "All right, man. Now I'm I know why we're doing what we're doing, what we're asked to do, the calls, all of that." Uh he looks much more comfortable. Uh and he's got ability. I mean, you see it. Um he he's got ability. So, um yeah, he he's about to get, you know, it's a great opportunity for him. This is a great opportunity. So, um it'll be good to see. And Small, too, you know. I mean, obviously Zay is Zay, you know. He's That guy's a stud, man. I'm glad he's here. Um but man, you talked about Saylors and Small is doing some things and he's doing some things on special teams, too, man. Low to the ground, center of gravity, he's stout, he's strong, he's got later real quick. So, pretty good, man. Guys are going to get a pretty good look here. >> Stay with the running back position real quick. The big news of the morning, Bijan Robinson got his extension. How much do you hope or do you think that can expedite the process with Jahmyr? How much do I hope? How much do I hope it it helps to get You think that that Bijan getting his deal will speed up this process? I mean, I think it it's certainly not going to hurt. I mean, it I it's not going to hurt. Um but we'll see, you know, we'll see. I'm Look, I'm anxious to get uh Gibbs back out there. um every day that goes by, you know, that's another day that you feel like you miss with him and getting him out there with the guys and him being uh doing his part. So, um but there again, man, it'll get done when it gets done. Uh there's been a lot of moving pieces along the offensive line. One of the guy who kind of brings continuity at his position is Tate. What have you liked about the way he's kind of come back after his first, you know, full off season? Yeah, I love where Tate came back in the spring. Looked good. You could tell he worked all through that time and then certainly being in a building with us. Uh he looked much more comfortable, more confident. And then he showed up at camp, man, in great shape. I mean, you know, you could just tell, man, he's worked and he's trying to be conscientious. One of the things we talked about for him was, you know, obviously consistency. That's what when you're a rookie, but the pad level, you know, and it's still, you know, it's up and down, but you can tell he's trying and he wants to do it. And because that's if when he bends and you got to bend when you got Alim McNeil across from you and Tyleik those guys low center of gravity and they can get under you and they're quick as heck. Uh and so I mean that's a blessing to be able to go against Alm every day that that you got to be on it. But man, his attitude is right. You can tell that man he came in saying I want to be much better than I was last year. I'm going to clean a lot of this stuff up. And everything I've seen to this point has been good. I mean, he's uh he looks good. I'm glad he's here. What have you seen from Dortch so far? Greg, He surprised you at all, Dortch, with the way he's played or is this what you expected? Well, uh I there again until we really get into a lot more of some of these team settings, particularly in the return game. Um, I want to be careful but just watching his movement skills and the drill work as a returner and even some of the little things as a receiver, it's even better than I thought. Just, you know, there's things about him. I mean, you watch him maneuver through some of these drills and it's and it looks pretty good. So, um, so that's pretty exciting, you know, like Dortch, you know, he man, he's working. He's wants to be one of the guys and adapt to what we do and how we do it. And I think every day he gets he gets a little bit better and learns how we go through and do what we do. Dan, we saw we saw Devin White mix in with the first team defense yesterday. I know it's early with him still, but how do you maybe see him fitting into this defense? Well, you know, obviously the Will linebacker is something that that suits him very well. um you know just his body type, the type of linebacker he's been and our system too. I mean the system suits him. So um you know I thought I thought yesterday I mean there was a couple of wow plays in there. I mean one he just I mean came downhill and just you know that's what we expect. I mean and he can still run. You can see that. And uh so we just get his weight down a little bit and uh you know make sure that we keep continue to work him into practice. Be smart with him, you know. Um and then see where he can go with it. But uh it's an opportunity, you know. So When you open padded practice yesterday, you did the kind of one-on-one tackling drill that we've seen a lot, but um not live tackling as I think we've seen on the first day of padded practices before. Kind of what went into that. Well, yeah, it was all right, let's just do it to where these guys get a feel. It's crazy how you saw that drill under control and all this and then the minute you say, "Okay, hey, it's live." Even though the runner cannot run you over, you're not allowed to. You cannot run over the tackler in that drill. We're not That's not what we want is collision. You get one move, but the minute you do that, all of a sudden, a lot of techniques change. Now, some of them don't. Some of these guys are on point, but it's amazing. So, man, let's just fundamentally let's get it go through it a couple times. The other thing is there was there were some guys I held out of that drill last year and that are they got some juice and they got some cuts and they got some so by not doing it live you get them and keep them in the drill which works you know the tackler a little bit. So we will get to that drill and do it live for you Jeremy. It is coming my friend. I I'm telling you I'm glad that you're looking. That's good stuff. So, yeah, At this time last year, a lot of people were curious about what you had in Isaac TeSlaa. Then we saw the one-handed catches, the touchdowns. I'm just curious in year two, what does progress look like for him in in another [clears throat] new offense? Well, more growth, you know, um it can't just be that. It can't just be down the field one-handed. It can't be, you know, he uh he's got to expand his route tree. He's got to get better at those things. Um and that's growth into the second year. I mean that's part look the guy is smart. He busts his tail, he's going to block in the run game there, but now some of it is man work at the line of scrimmage, you know. Um some of it is once I get into this route is at the top of the route, you know, some of these digs, maybe it's slant, maybe. And so that that's kind of the next progression, man. Because we don't see him. He's not just a we don't just see that. Okay, this is all this guy does. Now, with every player we have, what do they excel at? And we're going to ask him to do a lot of those things, but we see more than that with him. We think this guy can run the tree and uh and then he's just got to work through it, you know, every day like everybody else. We haven't seen any plays out of him. Is he still doing everything, you know, all the other little things? Has he improved in those areas that that you guys see behind closed doors that maybe you miss in in camp? That is, you know, running the roads. I I think I think there's things right now like even some of the one-on-one stuff, you know, I it's when you start getting into some technique stuff and you're a young player, it's a lot like golf. Look, who you guys play golf? Anybody? Okay. I don't either. All right. So, but apparently it uh man, if you're off just a little bit with your technique, you know, you're man, everything is it's perfect and uh you're in the flow and you can feel it and but all of a sudden if one thing gets off just a little bit and you kind of get in this there's a little bit of this funk, right? and you and then you you're trying to solve the issue and so you change your swing a little bit and then you've corrected the wrong way and now you're and that's what comes with all this and it comes with all these players too. I mean um and so I would say there's a little bit of that right now. He's just you know he's working and Scott and uh Scotty's working with him and so he he'll get there man. The guy works his tail off. Um but that's what practice is about. Okay. Transcripts are created with the assist of AI

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. Jared Goff, Romy Goff, Sheil Ford-Hanp and Martha Ford - Photo Will Burchfield 97.1 The Ticket 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 Lions signed TE Nick Muse and released WR Tarik Black 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: Lions Coach Dan Campbell Day 5 Press Event 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 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. Lions OT Sewell and OC Mays hold media session on 08/03/26 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. Transcripts are created with an assist from AI

Dan Campbell Camp Day 5 Press Event 08/02/26 Dan Campbell kicked off his Day 3 press event with no opening statement and dove straight into questions. He did drop a few new nuggets on Izien and nickel, Gibbs "back" injury and talked about Dortch and the OL. Injury Summary New: Blake Miller - Will Roll today, held back yesterday should be ok 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 form offseason Gibbs - Campbell mentioned a "back" issue during conditioning test, but it isn't serious 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 Dan Campbell Press Event Transcript Opening Comment Okay, pads. So, here we go. First day. Um, you know, I thought we got really good work in yesterday. Um, it was the last day without pads. Uh, you know, red zone for us. Uh, got quite a few reps. Um, so we backed the reps down today. Um, won't be on the field as long, but the intensity goes way up naturally with pads. So, man, this this is uh this is good. I told the uh the players last night that by the end of this week, this roster will begin to separate itself. Um so this is where we'll find out. We're about to get really four really good days of pads. Uh and this is day one just to kind of break them in for the other three Questions. Start with um injuries of you moved. your rookie class. Uh, you know, Blake Miller didn't do a lot of team yesterday and then obviously Derek Moore and Jimmy Roller, too. Just updates on those guys. Blake will he he'll be he'll roll today. Uh, we don't anticipate any issues. Um, and he wanted to do more. We kind of held him back. Um, just got him some individual and so feel good about that. So, we think he'll be okay for today. Uh, Rolder will be out for a while. Got a hamstring. Um and um uh Kitsman will be out for a while. Um uh Derek Moore um he we're hoping about 7 to 10 days here. So, you know, just kind of a minor strain. Uh which is good news. Uh it's all it's unfortunate for all the rookies though. You know, I mean these are these reps are valuable, man. You miss valuable time, but it also is what it is. So, good news is um that that you know, like I say with Derek, it won't be too long. It for Rolder, it's a little unfortunate, but at the same time, it's not a season ender, so that's good news. And then the right tackle spot, um Blake's obviously taken most of the first team reps, unhealthy, and we all know what, you know, his future is. Does Larry Borham still have a shot to win that job? What does he have to do to you know, win that job? Well, there again, this is the first day of patch. So, we like where Blake we feel like has gotten a little bit better every day. And that's a good thing. Um Larry's played in this league. He's But now here we go. Now it's real, right? So we can talk about how good somebody looks, how much better they get without pads on. Well, now the pads are on. So yeah, anybody's got a shot. Um so we'll see what it looks like. You know, my gut tells me that Blake's going to continue to grow, but we'll see. Um that it goes back to what I said. I mean, we're about to find out a lot now. So, that's good news. Now, we've been Hank's been throwing Miles out a little bit, you know, Frasier some of this tackle work and uh you know, it's early, but it there's some good there's some good reps. There's some good reps. Look, he's played all the positions already in four days and some of spring. Both guards, both tackles. So, which is another reason why we liked him, why we drafted him, because that's what he did at LSU. He's left tackle. He's left guard, he's right guard, he's right tackle, he's back to left guard. So, um, so our eyes our eyes are open for him, too. I mean, there's don't sleep on him. Where do you see things at in that CB 2 spot right now? It seems like it's Rock Ya-Sin vs Ennis Rakestraw, but maybe Nick Whiteside has a shot to elevate himself there. It's another position where um, man, Rock's making plays. We we've, you know, we've been with Rock. We know what he's about. Uh we know the way he competes. Um we got high hopes for Rakestraw, too. And there's been you see flashes with him, man. There's some good stuff. There's some just same thing, inconsistencies with him a little bit, but then I would say those are less and less every day, which is good news. Whiteside has made plays every day. Every special teams and on defense, every day. All right. There has not been a day yet. We've had four practices where he has not made plays. So, um, this is about to get interesting. It's going to be really interesting. The other is Dorsy. Dorsey looks good. Dorsy's making plays, too. I mean, we look that quarterback group is um we got a pretty good mix here. Young players and some guys that have had uh experience. McCra. So, look, I I'm I mean, this thing, we'll see. I mean, it's pretty exciting. I'm sorry. I was just talking about Jahmyr. Just been a lot of talk, but just having him out there on the field yesterday, just what do you think that did for some of his teammates, just seeing him out there a little bit yesterday? Uh, I mean, I think it's good to see, you know, um, he got a little work inside and, uh, and to be able to come out and, you know, be around the guys. I think that's always going to be important, you know. Um, look, he's still part of us and the guys uh our players love him. You know, we love him and uh you know, he's a part of what we do. So, yeah, it's always good to see him. Guys that make plays every day. Um Cedric Wilson's kind of come in here and popped seems like maybe has some chemistry with Teddy lingering from their overlap in Miami. Uh veterans like that come into rosters every year and kind of surprised. What have you um seen out of Cedric so far here in these early practices from Man, he's headsy heads. He's crafty. He's a different body type, a different type of receiver for us. You know, there's a um there he's smooth. There's um you know, uh there's a little slither to him, you know. Um he's a little slippery and he's got really good body control. I mean, you saw the back shoulder catch in the back of the end zone. was a hell of a throw by Teddy, but um man, he just gets it, you know? He gets it. He I There's nothing better than freaking vets, man. Pro true pros that get it. They know how to go about their business, man. They come in here, they compete. Uh they they're not they're not entitled. They just go work, man. And that's what he does. And by the way, his special teams reps are pretty good, too. I mean, for a receiver, he can do some stuff. And his tape says that, too. So, um, like said, really quickly on what does he do on special teams? Like what are some of his areas where he fits? Well, I would say some of right what we've seen right now is um like some of the holdup stuff, right? Uh even some of the cover stuff. So, I mean, where does he fit? We're just kind of in drill work right now, if that makes sense, man. It's a hold up, it's cover, it's so whether that's kickoff, kickoff, return is that punt, punt, return, but just he's got a knack for getting to the ball. Uh, and he knows how to he knows how to get in body position, block guys. I mean, he just he kind of gets it and that's the essence of what our game is, man. I came across um I came across an article, I guess the Bears are working on something that the end of half execution, not end of game execution. Is there anything situationally from last year that you have kind of are focusing on in this training camp that you really want to improve upon? No, we're doing it all. I mean, we're hitting it all. Um, you know, that's we did end the half the other day before uh everything was done and then yesterday was end of game, but different end of game, right? I mean, we haven't done this in a while. I love this. I I think it's great, man. Your four minutes are just under four minutes and its tie game or the offense is down three. We're gonna do another one of these later and then we're going to match up, you know, ones versus twos. Um, you know, one verse, uh, 2D or two offense verse 1D and so we're going to keep expanding this. We'll always have the two minute like here we go, 50 seconds left. Like we'll get those in. But I think just all-encompassing and to really get true like here we go, man. It it's like you saw what that was. The offense is down by one. Four minutes left. Both teams got three timeouts. Well, offense, you're trying to finish the game. You're not giving the ball back and you're going to finish the game. And defensively, you just got to get a stop here. So, I just think those are great, man. The way that you handle it, manage it, but the way you call it, too, is important on both sides of the ball. Oh, I mean it's tricky, you know. It's tricky. Fourth down execution. Is there something that you um I mean kind of took a little bit of a step back, I think, last year. I mean, is that something that you guys anything new? I mean, I think you just continue to put them in that. We've done that, man. You know, since I've been here, I mean, we we've stacked so many fourth downs in practice games. I mean, it that'll always be what we do. And you just got to put your players in pressure positions and make them play. Make them play. Make them compete. Make them have composure. Um, just they need to feel it, right? And, uh, so we'll always continue to do that. The execution is make sure we've got the right call as right as it can be for our players, the right setup, and then and then it's about execution, you know. So, no, we just, man, you just put in the work. You got uh more fired up for first day pass as a player and now as a coach? Oh, well, a player. I mean, because you get to do it, you know, now you're living through them. So, you know, it's still fun. Believe me, it is. But it's not the same because you know, but you also know if you go out there, you're just going to break, you know, you just break right in half. Just how's uh Cade Mays settling in and how are you continuing to like that fit in in the middle of your Yeah, I like it. He's settling in nice. I thought yesterday he had some really good reps. Um just some things that showed up over the two days prior um that that Hank, you know, coached him up on that he knew he could be a little bit better at. Man, I thought it showed up yesterday. That's good. His um look, we're throwing a lot at him. You know, he he's got a lot on him. Um you know, the mic points, all of those things where we're going, we've got a lot of scheming right now. And then we're, you know, that we've had this system in place for four years now. Um, so it it's a lot, you know, and for golf, it's not a lot. For him when you just walk in the door, I mean, there's a lot going on here. So, but I feel like he's handling it well. And, uh, I think every day he gets more and more comfortable. So, I I like it. I like it. I think he's a good fit for us. Okay. Transcripts are created with the assist of AI

Welcome to The Grey Manes Monday Morning Rundown, a collection of news and notes form the prior week that impact the Lions, the NFL or whatever else catches my eye. Lions TE Wright and LB Jack Campbell - Nicole Scharff/Detroit Lions Lions Players, Coaches and Team The Draft Edition of Inside the Den hit, and it had a lot of great nuggets about the process including the Lions walking away with virtually every guy they targeted after Rd. 3. The Lions finalized their camp roster by adding special teams ace and LB Troy Reeder. One day after signing Reeder, the Lions cut DT Jay Tufele and put Izien and Mahogany on NFI lists The Lions pushed the roster back to 91 by signing former all-=pro LB Devon White We published our Training Camp previews for both Offense and Defense The Lions placed OT Gio Manu on the NFI/Illness list the day after practice started The Lions are partnering with Meijer and offering Collectors flags with a Purchase to benefit the Detroit Lions Foundation Former Detroit Lions Center Kevin Glove is being inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame The Athletic had a list of all 32-teams' assistant coaches who could break out this year, and for the Lions it was Kelvin Sheppard The Lions are well represented in the Top 10 ratings on Madden for Offensive Skill guys Jahmyr Gibbs (along with Bijon Robinson) are doing "sit ins" where they are at camp but not practicing until their contracts get resolved. Check out our Camp coverage from last week with Day 1, 2, 3 and 4 Recaps and Dan Campbell Day 1, 2 and 3 press events. Rumors, Nuggets and Speculation Netflix has tapped former LB Luke Kuechly as their lead game analyst this fall. NFL will be unveiling the Nike Rivalry jerseys on Aug 25th, including the Lions An old friend is joining the Buccaneers in S Ife Melifonwu There is lots of chaos in Vikings land at the QB position Things I think are Noteworthy Dunkin is dropping a 48oz refillable bucket on August 7th for a limited time for $12.99 Robots designed for entering disaster zones too dangerous for humans, what could go wrong? Dunkin 48oz Refillable Bucket

The Detroit Lions held their Day 4 of training Camp on Sunday after taking Saturday off. As expected, there were a lot of updates and movement on injured players, Shep fille din for Campbell at the podium and the Lions had a national guest at camp. Oh, it was also the first day fans were in attendance, so that always gets the players excited. Lions TE Jackson Meeks and S Dan Jackson - Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions 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 New Updates S Christian Izien (NFI/Illness) removed form NFI/Illness and returned to practice DT Alim McNeil (Neck) McNeil was back at [practice, said he was kicked in the head Friday and is good to go now. LB Jimmy Rolder (Leg) Confirmed by multiple sources on Saturday that he would miss some time, abut Shepp said he absolutely expects him to contribute this year. RB Jacob Saylors (Limp) Saylors was back on the practice field on Sunday after leaving with a limp on Friday OIG Ben Bartch (Foot) Has been limited but getting work all camp, but was not practicing today OT Blake Miller (Limited) Was limited to walkthroughs and Individual Drills, which is likely a maintenance day as other vets also had limited reps. He was observed wearing a compression sleeve on his left leg but moving around fine. Existing (No Changes) RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Contract Dispute) Missed practice but was watching form 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 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 EDGE Derrick Moore (Groin) TE Miles Kitselman (Concussion) Transactions Lions signed former all-pro LB Devin White to a 1-year deal Lions removed Christian Izien from the NFI/Illness List Training Camp Day 4 Observations form the Lions Media General Observations First day of fans being in attendance and crowd was hyped, Monday will be the first day in Full Pads. Multiple folks said that Miles Frazier was everywhere, it was noticed he played all four non-Center positions on each line at some point Sunday. Many veterans did not participate in 1-on-1s today per the folks in attendance Caoch Skipper was the QB in some drills Isaac TeSlaa had a poor day, going 0-5 in his one-on-ones and struggling in team drills, but did have a TD on a pick play. The first team Defense was dominating in the red zone with multiple pass breakups, Ints, and tackles for losses Ahmed Hassanein was disruptive all practice Situational end-of-games drill to end practice. The Offense down 1 pt, 4:00 minutes on the clock, with three timeouts for each side. The goal was bleeding the clock and kick the FG to win. Started with a Tom Kennedy KO to the 29 Goff to Wright for 9, Pacheco 2-yard run, Goff throwaway (blitzed by Reed), False Start on Scruggs putting them at the 35 with 2nd and 15. Diving 5-yard catch by Vaki made it 3rd and 10 with a big conversion to Jamo for 20 yards with defense taking timeout and the offense on the 40. Goff to St Bronw for 9 to the 31, TO #2 form Defense Run for 2, TO #3 for defense Run for 6, kneel, kneel 43-yard FG to win it as time expired Bates was inconsistent at 5-7, with consecutive 43-yard misses Offensive Line 1st OL: Sewell-Scruggs-Mays-Ratledge-Borom Borom and Frazier split time with Blake Miller only doing individual drills Miles Frazier was working as both an OT and OG with majority of reps at OT, and quite a few reps as the starting RT It was observed that Sorsdal is getting mostly OT reps with Manu now on the NFI list. 2nd OL: N/A-N/A-N/A-N/A-N/A 3rd OL: N/A 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, Toim Kennedy Backups: Everyone Else TE 1st Unit: Sam LaPorta 2nd Unit: Brock Wright 3rd Unit: Miles Kitselman/Jackson Meeks Depth: Horton/Gordon DL 1st Unit: Hutch-McNeil-Williams- Lacy (Wonnum - nickel) Wingo received a few 1st team reps prior to McNeil's injury and replaced him once he left practice. Onzururike is also picking up 1st team reps. Tyler Lacy has been the "big' DE in a Five-man with Ahmed Hassanein the 2nd Big End and Onwuzurike getting some reps today 2nd Unit: N/A-Onwuzurike-Wingo-Hassanein LBs 1st Tean - Campbell, Barnes and Rodriguez have been the starters in all sessions Starting nickel LBs are Campbell and Barnes 2nd Team - Rolder (Mike), Clark (Will) and Nowaske (Sam) 3rd team - Unknown It was noted that Damone Clark was with a bunch of regulars on the team's top Punt Block group (an indication of roster slot) Safety 1st Team - Avonte Maddox (In for Izien in for Kerby) and Chuck Clark (In for Brian Branch) 2nd team - Thomas Harper, Loren Strickland and Dan Jackson 3rd team - Unknown Nickel McCreary and Abney Outside CBs 1st Team - DJ Reed and Ya-Sin/Rakestraw 2nd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown 3rd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown Punt Returners Day 1 - N/A Kick Returners Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Isiah Pacheco, Dominic Lovett, Malik Cunningham, Lawrence Keys, Isaac TeSlaa and DJ Reed. Gunners N/A Rookies Blake Miller - Was a light day for the rookie, only doing individual drills and not participating in 1-on-1s. Derrick Moore - The Rookie edge was praised by Shepp in the presser, then left the field early with a groin injury. Before the injury, was 3-2 in 1-on-1s against Borom, Frazier, Sorsdal and M Miller. Jimmy Rolder - Confirmed by multiple sources on Saturday that he would miss some time, abut Shepp said he absolutely expects him to contribute this year. Keith Abney II - Was beat by Lovett, but had two pass breakups later including a near pick of Altmyer. Kendric Law - Done for season with a torn ACL suffered win OTA Week 2 practices Skyler Gill-Howard - Was 1-5 in his 1-on-1s against Frazier and Mason Miller and Priestly Tyre West - Was 0-2-2 against Niese, Priestly, M Miller and Sorsdal UDFAs Luke Altmyer - Was almost picked by fellow rookies Abney and Hunter Miles Kitselman - Exited practice early to be evaluated for a leg injury. Anthony Lucas - Was 0-4 against Cochrane on 1-on-1s Erick Hunter - Ran over LB Bachie on KR drill and almost picked off Altmyer Erik O'Neil - Was 1-2 in 1-on-1s vs Cochrane and Frazier Aiden Keanaaina - Mentioned he has worked his way into 2nd team reps, but struggled in 1-on-1s going 0-3-1 vs Niese and McLaughlin Lions OT Penei Sewell, RB Isiah Pacheco, QB Jared Goff and DT Alim McNeil Photos - Jeff Nguyen & Nicole Scharff Detroit Lions Kelvin Sheppard Day 4 Press Conference Kelvin Sheppard held serve today at the podium instead of Campbell, and below is a quick summary of the items he was asked and answered: Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Kelvin Sheppard Day 4 Press Event Quick Hitters On Moore and Hassanein: Doesn't want to jump gun ion their performance so far, no padded practice yet. Said Moore has presence of older guy, doesn't feel like a rookie. Said Athleticism jump out ion person and not necessarily on tape. For Hassanein, love that guy. Ahmed goes full tilt all the time and energy is real. Role has been switched to bigger end to his advantage. On Growth on Rolder prior toy injury and how much sets him back: Trajectory was clear, came in a bit overwhelmed, but put work in this Summer and applied himself and trusts the coaches. Kid was getting better each and every day. Hope to get him back to play as soon as possible and will absolutely contribute this year at some point. Addition of Devin White: Addition backs up what Cmapgbell said this offseason and find the best 90 that they can compete. Always looking to improve the competitive depth situation. Asked about Hutch's huge workload last year (led EDGES in snaps): Shep would like to see his load lightened a bit and not play 95% of the snaps. Lots of wear and tear. Key is finding guys that can be on the field and not have drop off when Hutch is off the field. Asked about level of concern about health and depth in the DB room: Said that they brought in lots of veterans and the room has tons of experience now. Young guys can lean on veterans. Build room to be plug-and-play. Asked if losing Terrion Arnold was a setback: Shep said he wasn't going to say it was a setback, as it would be disrespectful to guys in the locker room. Said he had No 1 potential, but it was untapped and will leave it at that On Rakestraw and what he has seen form him without pads: Said Ennis has the talent, just needs his bod to endure the 21-22 weeks of the football and also mentally take the big jump. Seeing a big jump in understanding things beyond his specific responsibilities on a play. Asked what he is looking for with pads on to know a guy is real: Shep said that a quiote on the board from Kevin Green via Dom Capers "We are going to establish the violent physical nature of the game", and that is non-negotiable. Guys will have to go in and play elite run defense here and starts when pad comes on. If you can't do that, you won't earn the right to rush the passer. Hoping to utilize with Calrk, Izien and Maddox: Was talking about it earlier with guys able to disguise and lie to the QB for what he is seeing. It's not about the how, but also the why on disguising. On Izien playing big nickel and where are they with locking down the defensive fits: The faster they can figure out the top 11, they will let the competition figure it out as long as needs to. Izien was very versatile in Tampa and should be able to figure out where he wants to play and where Shep's vision is for him. Getting back to elite run defense: Despite being top half of league last year, looking to get back to top 5. The totality of everyone understanding the totality of the defense will get them back to where they need to be. Trying all the defensive fits together, not doing it on the fly during the season. Mentioned being adaptable and plug-and-play again, setting those in the offseason so if they need to rely on people in season, they can move on without having to reestablish with new players. Asked about defense least year in his year: Shep said he thought they were average last year in his eyes and it starts with getting back to that elite run defense. Ian Rapport Interviews form Training Camp Jahmyr Gibbs watching and not participating Sam LaPorta piece on his health, contract and offense Jameson Williams piece on offensive playmakers, how he will be sued and on paying Gibbs Media Scrums with Players The Lions had media availability with WR Jameson Williams, DT Alim McNeila and LB Devin White Isiah Pacheco Can you give us a sense of how you feel these first few days have been to? Yes. Uh the first few days been uh phenomenal. Just getting fly around the field with the guys again. Uh OTAAS are about the same. Got a little head start now out here just playing a little bit faster, physical. Um making plays. WR Jameson Williams What have you thought of Drew's offense so far? Um, I like it. You know, it's hard not to like when we got so many playmakers. He knows what he's doing, spreading it out well. Um, so, you know, um, one, like I said earlier, one play from one person could help the whole team. So, it just it's just like we just got to go out there and execute. Um, he's doing his job real well though. Um, we are and we help all help each other though. Jamo, watching you out there at practice today, I was kind of taken back to when you first walked out on the field here. Do you remember like your first training camp felt very distant from what we see from you now? How different of a player, a person, everything do you feel in a teammate? I feel like I've grown a lot, you know, just by with age and, you know, grown with the game. Um, matured a lot. It's just part of the game though, I would say. Um, day by day I've been trying to get better. Like I said, stack days. I just want to work my way to being my ending goal being a top receiver. We seem to make a lot of hands catches out here like just snatch the ball at the end. Something that Dan references one of the areas where you've improved a couple days ago. How much of a focus was that for you this this offseason? Um, you know, it's it was a daily focus. Um, I you know, I catch the ball every day. I was catching balls every day. Um, so I was just focusing in on I just want to be I just want to be like the receiver no matter where it said I got to catch it. Um, no matter if it's in my I just got to go catch it. So that's what I've been working on really. I don't want no mishaps or nothing. No matter where the ball at, I'm just trying to go catch it. So that was my main thing on working on the catches. Saw you chopping it up with Gibbs, you know, during that one special teams period. It's like to have him at least back out here watching. Oh, it's good, man. You know, cuz he the best of the best and you know um hopefully um coming up we get to see my boy um you know get something done so um he could be back out here with us in his jersey and stuff. So, you know, I'm real excited for him. I know what he could do for us and I know what he could do for himself and his team. You know, he's a real great player. I think one of the best in this league. Um so, um Got any advice for him as he goes through this? Any advice? Um, I don't know. I don't know. Um, like we probably in two different situations, you know. Um, his is different. He like the best player in the NFL. So, like I don't know. [laughter] You said you wanted to be considered one of the top receivers in the game. You have had back-to-back a thousand-yard season. What is going to take in your mind to be kind of one of those guys that that you think are, you know, the 10 best? Um, you know, more of that. A lot more of that. Um, you know, I just got, like I said, got to keep stacking, keep being getting better every day. Um, you know, I can't worry about what everybody else got going on. It's just focusing on me and my team. From a confidence standpoint, how much did last season help you? I mean cuz again first half of the season they were getting as many target but then you know Dan takes over and you start uh you know really coming through when they wanted and how much did that really kind of the whole season and how it played out kind of really helped you confidence? Um you know I just had to stay down and stay focused like you said it was games where I had zero catches, zero targets. U but that don't be on my mind you know after the day that I'll be past that cuz you know we most likely got to win that game. So, you know, you can't be mad over too long. Um, but I just stayed down and stayed focused. I knew my time was going to come and I knew like what I was going to do when my time come because when my time come, it's like the ball is in my hands and I know how to control it. So, you know, um, it really wasn't that hard. I just got to stay down and stay focused. Everything same thing I've been doing my whole life. And also just from like a standpoint of the production, it's been a linear growth pattern. I mean, like every year you're producing more. you just talk about also what that means to you, I guess, from, you know, where it could possibly go. I guess um I [laughter] don't know how to answer that. Uh it could pos where it could possibly go. I think it, you know, I just try to focus on, like I said, stacking, stacking, stacking, getting better every day. So, I guess it can go up and up. Jamo should Jahmyr be the highest paid running back? Yeah, of course. Of course. No question. He the best. No, like look, I wouldn't even say look at the stats. Look at the film. Nobody close. He the best. What does he mean in this offense? A lot. A lot. When Zero get on the field, it's like it's game changer for us cuz like I to me he unstoppable. Like he get through the line of scrimmage, he go 70, get through the line of scrimmage, make somebody miss. Like, it's just I love playing with him. I love watching him. Like, he got a one of the best games I ever seen. You two race yet? Nah, It's going to happen? I don't know. I don't think we need to race. Jamo, when you see the fans out here in practice, what kind of dynamic does that add hearing them kind of, you know, and on out there? Um, you know, it bring a boost to us. I know um some guys like putting on the show for the fans. As you know, these fans die hard Detroit Lions fans. So, you know, that's what we come out here for. We come out here to work and you know, put on a show for them. Um, they love this. They love this team. They embrace the team. We embrace them. It's kind of like a love relationship. Um, you know, we go out here and put on the show for them and they come out here and, you know, have fun. Ready for pads? Pads? Yeah. I think that's tomorrow. Y'all going to be out here? Watch me. DT Alim McNeil On getting evaluated for injury on Friday: Oh yeah, I'm all good. I had to do a little eval. Um it was a funky play with DB. I had trying to get up. He kind of kicked me in the head. I had to go do a quick eval. I was good. I'm clear. So felt great today. Uh yeah, concussion eval. Um whatever it was on the iPad, but I feel good though. That mean you like crash through the line. Yeah. Yeah. I was about to make that play and I was trying to get up and I think DV was trying to jump over me or something and kick me right in the head. When we talked to you in the spring, you were talking about feeling so much better and Dan told us and I one day earlier this week that you guys watched a ton of films that you didn't realize but you were maybe favoring that leg. How imperative is this is this summer camp for you is just going into this season for you mentally, physically? Huge, huge, huge. I think mentally nothing's really going to change for me. I was there mentally last year. It just physically I just wasn't all the way there like I wanted to be. Um, like I was telling him, like you can see it right there, but if you can't get to it, you can't get to it. Now I got two legs and I have no excuse and I feel wonderful out here now. So I I really feel like I'm back to me playing like me, getting off the ball like me, getting off blocks like I usually do. So uh, it it's huge though. These reps here in training camp, they matter. People hate training camp. It's long distance this and that, but these reps matter out here and that's what gets you better. It's cliche, but it does. And uh, me being out here now, being able to get those reps, be with the guys, most importantly, build that chemistry, it's been really good. So do you feel a little different though? like you're kind of in this veteran leadership role now. I mean, we've got a lot of changed faces here. Yeah, that's what I was I was just saying that as well. It It's kind of wild to think about that I am six years deep, but that's why I'm trying to use my voice more. I try to lead by example every play, but I'm trying to use my voice more, just talking to the rookies, giving them tips here and there and whatnot, celebrating plays. Um, so yeah, I am in that position now and I'm going to take that role. I know you know last year that you might have been like when you go back and watch yourself on what you might have been Did I see I knew yeah I mean I knew I knew that I wasn't a thousand% but I I was good enough to go do what I needed to do but I just you know I wasn't a thousand% is just how human body works. I mean, there's nothing you could do about it, but uh I mean, I knew and going back and looking back at it, you can really tell. But when you look at me now, you can really tell the difference how that offseason and summer work, how much stronger I've gotten, how much more confidence I've built with this um leg through my mind. So yeah, it's night and day difference now. But yeah, I could tell With Aiden going through such a dramatic intense rehab and for you guys to both be in camp and to not think about it as much. Do you guys look at each other with a nod and just feel like, okay, we're back Sometimes. But I ain't going to lie, we don't even that's in the past. I when you just had to remind me. I'm not going to lie, forgot Hutch did that cuz Hutch came back. You wouldn't know Hutch did that at all. So it's in the past. But sometimes I think about I'm like yeah, you know, cuz I wasn't out here at one point and I it was hard for me to kind of process that because I've never not played football and it was just it was a little weird. But being back out here now and I don't take it for granted every event every threw me off every chance I get, um I try to try to be thankful out here for sure. When we were talking to Shep earlier today, he was taking it kind of personally where this run defense kind of slipped to last year. How personally do you take it and how committed are you in the middle of this defense to make sure you guys get back to what you were in 24? Super personal. That's my job. That's why I'm here. Um it's to stop the run and get to the quarterback. So that falls on us directly. Uh so I take that super personal and we're going to go into the season thinking that same way and that's why we're practicing right now. But I take that super personal. That's literally why we are D-line. That's why we're here. So we want to be first in the league. We don't I don't know what we were but we want to be first in the league. I know it's a little bit one day, but how is it having Devon White now join the team, you know, having been to the Super Bowl. What does that kind of mean to your defense to have someone who's been there, knows what it takes to get there. Um, how is that having board? True. That's a lot. Cuz, you know, I personally I don't I've never been there, so I don't know what it takes to quite get to that point. Um, we've been MC Championship, but we haven't been further than that. And, you know, just bringing that experience in a guy like Devin White, a guy I watched growing up playing, uh, that's going to be huge. I know he's got a lot of knowledge on him. Uh he was already out here today. So I think it's gonna be great though. I think it'll be great. We talk about chemistry on the offensive line a lot, but you and Ty getting a bunch of reps. How important is that to you guys kind of building that chemistry? Very, very much so because we can start calling knickknack little things we want to do in there that may not be in the call. U we can start calling ourselves, start running some stuff. But it's very huge. Very huge. But me and Tyleik have a great chemistry already. Uh so I think it's going to be it's going to be wonderful in there. I'm not It's going to be fun. So but we got a great chemistry going off the field, on the field. It'll be good though. Do you feel like there's a opportunity to kind of use you guys interchangeably a little bit? Kind of like the body transformation he kind of went. Yeah. Yeah. Thousand%. I think that's always the goal probably anywhere, but especially here because we do a lot of things where maybe we have to jump the front a little bit, he'll go to the three, I go to the one within the play, like if a wide turbo, whatever, wide divide. Um, but yeah, I think that's definitely a plan and we can do that. We can definitely do that. So, yeah. LB Devin White Like for you when you got the news? I mean, it was good. Uh, just wanted to get back with a winning program, try to help them, you know, do whatever I need to do just to be a help. That's all. What is it about the Lions that you like? Uh, I feel like the play style on defense is very aggressive. They use all their players to the to their strengths and I know I got a lot of strengths that could be used and I think uh this organization that can bring them out. What was the last 24 hours for you like? Where did you get to the draft? Uh, shoot. Uh flew in Friday night, did some uh medical stuff Saturday and just got to rolling today. Just first impressions, obviously no pads, you know, still kind of acclamation period, but just first impressions what you saw out here. Oh, I think uh the speed of the game. I think doing everything at an intense level. Uh you know, he harp on that, you know, just being all out. You know, that was part of the thing he say, you know, uh, Coach Dan, like when I was in New Orleans when we was in the same division, and that's what stuck off the tape always about you is that you just go 100 miles per hour. So, just being able to come over here and fly around. Did Shep share any of his expectations for you? I know that he's keyed in on your leadership as well, plus another LSU guy. Most definitely. Uh, he just told me to come in and, uh, you know, just be you. Uh, get a hold to the system and, you know, just hit the ground running. So, they threw me in the fight today. First day I was in there. Uh it's different, you know, same coverages, just different uh different terminology. So, I'm trying to get that terminology down with the coverages that I know. But I like being thrown in the fire. I like being uh being able to compete. You know, it's a lot of great guys in the room, and I just want to uh fit in where I fit in. Did you have any previous connection with the LSU? I mean, we just we personally knew each other just on the, you know, LSU connection, but not know talk on the phone every day. Like, I wouldn't say that. Hopefully that uh relationship going to grow stronger now that I am kind of under his wing right now since he is the defensive coordinator and you know he draws everything up. So I kind of want to think just like him. Any opportunities before this you wait for the right time situation. Yeah I feel like I feel like uh coming off last year you know uh losing season that was like first time ever since I was I ain't never lost had a losing season in my career since I was a kid. So that was very hard and you know you try to like dot the eyes and cross the t's and you want to put yourself in the best position to win. You know in this league winning is fun and you know you got to work hard to be able to win. So I knew this was a hardworking winning organization so I felt like it was just the right fit. And did this been in the works for a minute before even the Rolder injury I mean yeah I mean no no I don't know nothing about that but uh I know we talked you know early in free agency saying you know we want to revisit and so it's kind of always been on the on the shift. How have you been spending most of this offseason making sure you're in mental shape, you're in physical shape? Yeah, I think mental the most part, you know, uh just never knowing what's next, you know, if you going to do something next or do you want to whatever you want to do in life. I think that's the uh being that's more important than physical. Uh physical just working out, you know, got a good team around myself that just keep me going. I was able to come right in, get right on the field, and even when I wasn't going, got a strength coach and did more work just to keep going. You know, it's all about the work that you put in. So even though I'm here, instead of putting in more work, just trying to show these guys that I can be a part of this team and I can help. What are you knew Kacey Rogers as well? Oh, yeah. I I actually didn't. And uh I didn't even realize he was still here. I knew he was here, but I didn't realize he was still here. But when I seen him in the building, you know, man, we did a lot of things together as far as working with the front in Tampa. You know, me blitzing off those guys and putting in certain stunts and stuff. So that was a good cuz he know my play style. He know what I can do, you know, and he can help those guys be able to utilize me even more, you know, because he's actually been in the building with me for five years. What did um you mentioned a little bit like what the losing did last year, but just on a personal level, did it do something, you know, good for you to play the way you did, all the tackles you had after? Yeah, I mean I know uh you know just for me I was just excited to be playing the game you know um just happy to be out there flying around but like I said um self-accomplishment don't mean nothing you know you want to be able to win like just coming from a person that host that trophy up with a lot of other guys and that's the greatest feeling in the world so I just want to get back to that all the self-stuff I did that didn't mean nothing to me it was just showing everybody else man he can still run hit uh go get the turnovers and get tackles for a loss. So, that's what they needed to see. But for me, it's about winning and being a team guy. I think some people wrote you off. Yeah. Yeah. They probably thought I didn't have it no more, but it's okay. That's why the book keep going, you know? I'm going to put the ending to it. And on that note, having like Super Bowl experience, knowing what it takes to get to that level. What does it mean to kind of, you know, come to a team, a program that's never been there before? Uh, how can you kind of use that experience to help those guys? Just the way I work, you know, but the way I work is the way they work as well. you know, they got all the attributes and they doing all the right things, you know, uh even self-aware things, you know, just working on self like for a minute at the end of practice, just putting yourself in position because you never know when it's going to come up, but when it come up, you're ready to like, you know, take over on it, you know, and I think that's one good thing that I seen on the first day of practice for me is we was just situation aware and uh that's really, really good. And obviously hard work pay off at the end of the day. And that's what this team is about. That's what me and Coach Dan talked about. He was like, "This what I expected of you. Fly around and you know that's what I want. That's what we about." And I asked a couple guys like, "You know, what's the standard around here?" And that's like, man, all out. All out. So, I think I fit right in. Are you a chip on your shoulder guy? Are you taking notes of the doubters out there? No, I don't really worry about the doubters. I mean, at the end of the day, I got to go out there and do the job. You know, I don't know who doubt me. I don't know who for me. I know my family for me. And I know this organization behind me right now, cuz if they wouldn't, they wouldn't have brought me in. So, I'm just here to, you know, help these guys. Who in particular did you talk with that kind of helped you establish that standard? Was Jack Campbell one of those guys? Yeah, one of the first guys that reached out talked to him. Um I think he was like real, you know, big on the standard and uh just talking ball That were potentially just kind of how you wanted to play, right team, right fit. Yeah, I feel like um just jumping out that headfirst and putting myself back in the position that I was in last year. You know, a lot of other teams, they probably be a lot of pieces away from getting to the even the postseason, you know, and I I really didn't want to deal with that right now. I wanted to go in and be able to help a team that really wants to win right now. And obviously the culture around here, you know, the previous seasons, you can see it. And I think this just was the right fit for me. Uh being around some ball coaches like who actually played the game and can actually get out there hands-on with you and like let's keep improving. Let's keep uh improving. Whatever they feel like I need to improve in, they can actually get out there and coach me. Coach me cuz they did it before so they know exactly what they looking for. You think Shep could still play? He probably could. He athletic. He look athletic and he run around so I think he probably still could but he doing a good job calling the plays right now. Were you considering any other teams? I mean is it I was but I was but it don't matter. I didn't pick him. Yeah. Yeah. We didn't agree with them so it didn't matter. How long did that process kind of play out though? I mean like I mean it started it started as soon as free agency came and you know we just we didn't rush it you I think that was the biggest thing for me is just getting to a team where you can grow. You know, you can't grow when it's a lot of like downside going on. And I think it's a lot of upside here. So, no matter what I do, it's a lot of room for growth. Obviously, the first part of your career is, you know, spent with, you know, Tampa, that's what people most associate and then, you know, this most recent period has been a few teams here and there. Do you see this as like a chance to kind of establish that kind of uh, you know, solid ground that you had at the outset of different? I don't know. I just want to keep learning the plays first. You know, it's a new playbook. Uh, different language, same coverages, but that's all I'm focusing on now. I don't know what's going to happen with that. I really don't care. I just want to help this team and whatever uh on the back end of that that'll come. I really don't like to think to the future, you know. I just like to put myself in my shoes today. And right now I just finished day one of practice and it was a good one. And I got to go back and get back into uh film study so I can come back tomorrow with the pads on. It'll be a lot faster and you know a lot more physical. So, I'll be trying to get acclimated to The Lions first preseason game is at Cincinnati on Thursday Aug 13th at 7pm. Transcripts are created with an assist from AI

Day 3 of training camp kicked off, and it started with a swap of TEs, then good news around two players on NFI, another big play by a guy that has been excelling in camp and ended with two players suffering injuries that needed to be checked out. Lions TE Brock Wright and LB Jack Campbell - Nicole Scharff/Detroit Lions 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, S Christian Izien, OL Gio Manu, EDGE/DE Peyton Turner, LB Jimmy Rolder (Left), DT Alim McNeil (Left), Jacob Saylors (Left) New Updates OG Christian Mahogany (NFI/injury) Came off the NFI list and participated in practice S Christian Izien (NFI/Illness) Campbell had hoped he would be back today from the Flu, but said he is still weak and will target by Sunday Existing (No Changes) RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Contract Dispute) Missed Day 2 practice but is in the building and attending meetings per St brown. 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 TE Tyler Conklin (PUP) Calf injury, return is targeted for ~Aug 12th-13th. 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 LB Jimmy Rolder (Leg) DT Alim McNeil (Neck) RB Jacob Saylors (Limping) Transactions Lions Waive TE Tyler Conklin and Signed TE Anthony Firkser Lions removed Christian Mahogany from the NFI/Injury List Training Camp Day 3 Observations form the Lions Media General Observations No Pads once again, Saturday is an off day, and Monday will be the first day in Full Pads. Christian Mahogany was off the NFI/Injury list and back at practice per those in attendance. He also received some 1st team LG reps in team drills. Both LB Jimmy Rolder (Leg) and DT Alim McNeil (Neck) left practice to be evaluated for injury. Both players walked inside on their own and it was reported that McNeil motioned to someone in the crowd that he was ok (it was friends and family day). Nick Whiteside continues his stellar camp play by picking off Teddy Bridgewater during 11-on-11s today and getting a PBU on TeSlaa after running with him step-for-step on a deep ball. Jameson Williams continues to impress making contested catches and leading the team on the situational drill to end practice. Derrick Moore got a shoutout for a nice pressure in team drills and winning cleanly in OL/DL one-on-ones. Several folks observed that Pacheco appears to have his burst back after questions about it last offseason. Situational end-of-half 1-minute drill to end practice. The Offense had 1:10 on the clock, down 7-0 with ball on their own 25 with the goal to get some points. Catches by St Brown, Williams (TO), LaPorta, Vaki (TO) and Jamo led to a spike Jack Fox (with TeSlaa holding) kicked a 48-yard FG to end practice and get a "win" for the offense. Jake Bates was on a non-kicking Day. Offensive Line 1st OL: Sewell-Scruggs-Mays-Ratledge-B Miller Mahogany received some 1st team work at LG in 11-on-11s Miles Frazier was working as both an OT and OG It was observed that Sorsdal is getting mostly OT reps with Manu now on the NFI list. 2nd OL: N/A-Mahogany-N/A-N/A-N/A 3rd OL: N/A 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, Toim Kennedy Backups: Everyone Else TE 1st Unit: Sam LaPorta 2nd Unit: Brock Wright 3rd Unit: Miles Kitselman/Jackson Meeks Depth: Horton/Gordon DL 1st Unit: Hutch-McNeil-Williams- Lacy (Wonnum - nickel) Wingo received a few 1st team reps prior to McNeil's injury and replaced him once he left practice. Onzururike is also picking up 1st team reps. Tyler Lacy has been the "big' DE in a Five-man with Ahmed Hassanein the 2nd Big End and Onwuzurike getting some reps today 2nd Unit: N/A-Onwuzurike-Wingo-Hassanein LBs 1st Tean - Campbell, Barnes and Rodriguez have been the starters in all sessions Starting nickel LBs are Campbell and Barnes 2nd Team - Rolder (Mike), Clark (Will) and Nowaske (Sam) 3rd team - Unknown It was noted that Damone Clark was with a bunch of regulars on the team's top Punt Block group (an indication of roster slot) Safety 1st Team - Avonte Maddox (In for Izien in for Kerby) and Chuck Clark (In for Brian Branch) 2nd team - Thomas Harper, Loren Strickland and Dan Jackson 3rd team - Unknown Nickel McCreary and Abney Outside CBs 1st Team - DJ Reed and Ya-Sin/Rakestraw 2nd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown 3rd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown Punt Returners Day 1 - WR Greg Dortch, RB Isiah Pacheco, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Dominic Lovett, WR Lawrence Keys and WR Amon-Ra St Brown were the reported participants Kick Returners Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Isiah Pacheco, Dominic Lovett, Malik Cunningham, Lawrence Keys, Isaac TeSlaa and AMon-Ra St Brown. Gunners Unknown Rookies Blake Miller - Miller apparently split his one-on-ones reps with DJ Wonnum and was cooked by Hutch in team drills. Derrick Moore - Several folks in attendance mentioned how well More looked on Day 3, winning both his one-on-ones (against Borom and Sorsdal) and a standout on Day 3 of camp. Jimmy Rolder - Rolder left the field with an apparent leg injury. Keith Abney II - Made a nice pass break up in 7-on-7s and tight coverage on a catch to Tom Kennedy that kept him short of the sticks Kendric Law - Done for season with a torn ACL suffered win OTA Week2 practices Skyler Gill-Howard - Had a couple photos in Day 3 drop, also Tyler Lacy answered a question about him (below) and what he brings to the table (athleticism and as a kid with Athleticism and energy). Also mentioned that Mahogany bested him in a one-on-one but won cleanly against Mason Miller. Tyre West - Lost his one-on-one to Milkes Frazier UDFAs Luke Altmyer - It was mentioned he dropped an absolutely dime to Cedric Wilson who made a toe-tap catch and that he has looked pretty week so far in camp. Miles Kitselman - No comments or photos from Day 3. Anthony Lucas - No comments or photos from Day 3. Erick Hunter - Was observed blowing up a screen pass in the backfield for Robichaux. Erik O'Neil - Lost his one-on-one to Milkes Frazier Lions Rookie DL Edge Gill-Howard, DE Ahmed hassanein and RB Sione Vaki Photos - Jeff Nguyen & Nicole Scharff Detroit Lions Dan Campbell Day 3 Press Conference Dan Campbell had his 2026 Training Camp Day 3 press conference this morning, and we provided a summary and full transcript earlier today. Below are some quick points that came out of it: Dan Campbell Camp Day 3 Press Event 07/31/26 Injury Summary New: Gibbs - Campbell mentioned a "back" issue during conditioning test, but it isn't serious 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 form offseason Updates Izien - Giving him one more day to rest up as he is still weak, should be back on Saturday Mahogany - Came of NFI/Injury today after the Press Conference and is practicing Quick Hitters Izien will sit one more day resting up from the flu. Hoped to get back today but will target this weekend (by Sunday) now. Campbell mentioned a "back injury" for Gibbs yesterday that came up during his conditioning test and confirmed today that it was not "serious." The plan was to get Izien some first-team reps at nickel prior to his illness. Said they are eyeing him for that spot. They have been smart with Ben Bartch, but he will start working into team reps next week. Lacy and McNeil looking good, with McNeil looking like his old self after favoring the leg last year Campbell is happy to have Juice Scruggs, but going against McNeil will be hard for anyone and make you a better player Compared the OL to DBs, needing reps to gel and develop that unspoken sense of cohesion Campbell is thrilled with the progress Jameson Williams has made and picked right back up where he left off in the Spring. Media Scrums with Players The Lions had media availability with RB Isiah Pacheco, DE Tyler Lacy, LB Jack Campbell, TE Brock Wright and OG Christian Mahogany Camp Day 3 Player Media Scrum Isiah Pacheco Can you give us a sense of how you feel these first few days have been to? Yes. Uh the first few days been uh phenomenal. Just getting fly around the field with the guys again. Uh OTAAS are about the same. Got a little head start now out here just playing a little bit faster, physical. Um making plays. Super explosive just through the first couple days. Just how do you feel like you got an awesome start here last training camp? Is that usual for you? Like are you from junk kind of? Um, no. Just um thankful that I came here during OTAAS to uh stand the training. I never was able to do OTAAS with any of my other teams uh like the full workouts. So, I finally got to make it to like the full team workouts and was able to compete all the way through it and on this off season uh back at home just training constantly uh coming back in shape uh looking good, leaned out rather than 215-210. Now I'm a little bit more lean and quicker. How do how do you think that OTAA's participation is helping you beyond um maybe being physically ready? You feel like you're just playing faster because you're used to it. Yeah, not saying used to it, but most importantly just taking notes and going back over the detail pinpoints coaches made during those OTAAS now and days coming like today. Uh just re-dotting it. Uh making sure I go over my highlighted words and making sure those words stand out so I can play faster. When you see an offense like this with a guy like Jerry Golf on the center and then all of the other explosive that they have, what do you what do you see from like just kind of the ceiling for this group and how you play in? Uh it makes you want to play harder, faster uh for your brothers, to your teammates left and right of you. Um everybody's pushing uh working hard for each other. You got guys finishing down the field and that's what it takes from every unit. Um, when you got guys doing that, it makes you lean on one another and want to fight for each other harder. How comfortable are you trying to rob to Jahmyr's Batman? Um, you know, I'm excited. Um, it's fun. It's phenomenal being out there with them. Um, just playing fast. Um, that's what we're used to. And the scoring, we got to score. Back in OTAs, you mentioned how competition was key at this time of the year, whether it was OTAAS or in training camp for you. How valuable is getting reps with the ones? Yes, it's very valuable. Playing fast, man, is most important. Um, being able to pick up those block protections uh is very important. You got golf uh calling the plays out fast um during those OTAs a little bit slower. Now it's more sped up uh cuz we're uh a little bit ahead of the game a little bit. So now just playing fast, physical. It seems like that communication is really important for you guys between a new OC, new guys on the O line kind of restructuring it. How have you seen that so far on this campus? How you guys are communicating on the court, just understanding? Yes. Uh it starts with the OC and coach uh Campbell is the mentality. You got guys willing to to get the job done and they showing they're leading by example and we got to follow the the rule. What was the last couple of years like for you with just how different is this training? Um probably dealt with a little bit injury uh during the training camps. uh getting back to training camp, healing up during uh Kansas City. Now I'm finding like offseason fully healed. Um just flying around uh just willing to get better every day. Is there anything? Do you do you have a uh has there been any nicknames thrown out for you at Jahmyr yet? I know Jah isn't here. Any new any new nicknames for that that combo that's going to be? Not yet, but on the social media I see a lot. Uh, so just, you know, keep giving us keep giving us those nicknames and we're going to surprise y'all when we get to play. Anything specific that excites you about playing in this offense just having or rep it, you know, in the spring and off a couple days? Um, say uh the coaches, the leader, the leadership, uh, you know, they're coaching hard. Uh, and that's what makes you want to play hard and you got coaches that's willing to stay extra, get the job done. Um, you got to listen and um, be accountable. Tyler Lacy Kind of got off to it the first couple days of training camp here. How do you feel? I'm feeling I'm feeling pretty good. You know, just getting back into the shake of things. You know, I got here last year, so I already knew to play college before. So, actually just playing football now and getting after it. How much nicer is that to come into a situation where you kind of know the deal and you can kind of just go through all the I don't want to call them motions, but you know exactly what you're in for when you arrive here and you're going to get to go through the full stuff. Yeah, it feels good. I mean, you know, I got to get to know people now. I get to just go out there and straight play straight football, you know, just go out there and do my all 100%. You've played a lot of different positions on your on your defensive line. How is that kind of helped you as you kind of find your way? I feel like it's helped me just divers diversify my um my game just I can play from the three to the four eye and then to the five and sometimes at the six. I mean, it just helps me in my game and just get more and more reps and so I can go out there on Sunday and complete it. Be beyond just what you need for your game. I mean, how much do you feel like that helps this defense? It seems like that versatility is really important. Part of what he has do on the D line. I feel like it helps the team. I mean, it felt it helps Shep, you know, on first and second down, he can throw out whatever package he wants to and I can play wherever he needs to. Talk about the mentality for you guys, maybe you want a little bit more out of the defense. And like you said, now that you're a little more comfortable, how do you feel like guys who are in their second, third, fourth years on this defense can, you know, kind of help usher in a little bit more? Like mentality wise? Mentality wise, I feel like the whole D line is just hungry. I mean, I feel like the whole team is hungry. I mean, we fell short last year and we just ready to get after it and achieve our goals this year. Curious about Amed, you know, a guy that saw a little bit of last year had to deal with his injury and now he's coming back. Bring some energy to you guys. What have you seen from him throughout this, you know, this offseason and coming into camp so far? A lot of energy. A brings all the whole energy, especially it starts in the locker room and he brings it to meeting rooms and out here. He's just always asking questions. He's always just ready to get better at the game every day. Another guy I want to ask about Skyler Gill-Howard. Uh seems to have a lot of energy, a lot of uh good athleticism and stuff like that. What are you seeing from him? A lot of athleticism just like you said I mean, his quick burst is just phenomenal and like how he can just move around on pass rush is just it's great for the team and I feel like it could set us up for a good season this year. How do you feel like the defensive line philosophy has changed if at all from last year? You guys um you lost Reer and Lopez. That's just a lot of size in the middle there. So, how are you guys playing differently to kind of make up for that that size? Not playing different, just next man up. I mean, next guy got to come in and show what he's about. I mean, I feel like our depth on our D line is real good and they can amount to other guys levels. A lot of guys on this team have talked about that they feel, you know, just at this point a little more free right now. Maybe there's less pressure, there's less whatever that you know, obviously you guys haven't fought pads yet, but just like can you feel that as a team that everyone's feeling serving now? Yeah, I can feel that as a team. I mean, it's still we we're still coming out here and just playing and playing ball as well. I mean, there's no like easy going on football, but I feel like we're all out here just trying to give it all. Jack Campbell When you get this close to bats coming on, do you get that nervous tick? You know what I mean? [laughter] Super excited for what it is. Yeah. Well, I mean, whenever it comes, it comes. It definitely makes it a little bit easier for me specifically, right? Um, but yeah, no, it'll be good. I'm excited. We have just have a great group of guys this year and I'm really excited to just get into the thick of it, start calling our bodies. The process has already started but just get ready for week one and just be the most conditioned team in my opinion. That's what I think it takes. The most conditioned team in the NFL. That's and that starts with the pads really. I mean, yeah, I feel like No, I mean right now you definitely it's like you're definitely getting in football shape right now. I mean there's ex for me it's like it's hard to practice football in the offseason because it's explosive play after explosive play. You can sprint l uh with a straight line. I I'm not that smart. Just straight line. Yeah. Was that a vertically? Yeah. Yeah. You can sprint vertically, but then you get out here, a lot of stuff's lateral, then vertical, then lateral, then vert. Like, you can't really practice it. So, if it's a little acclamation period, it's good to just get the body flowing again, get going, get the mind going, get back to camp, start feeling out, got different guys like I know this guy's going to do this versus this, stuff like that. Dan said yesterday that the thing that he needs to see for you guys to, you know, to feel comfortable going to know you can stop the run, know you can run the ball situational stuff, too. What does that mean to you? I mean, I Yeah, I mean, I I hang my hat on the run game. So, I mean, hopefully there's no issue there. Um, and there's no excuses, too. Like, that's like something obviously we're not going to go for this year. It's just get your job done. And if you don't do it, you don't do it. And it just it's you can see it on the tape. It's blatant. Doesn't matter if you're the top guy or the bottom guy on the roster. We need you to do your job. So, um, and everyone will be held accountable. And I feel like that also starts with me. I can I can work continue to improve on that. So, How hard is it specifically back from laying the pads on? Yeah. No, right. Right now, I'm just really trying to continue to craft my punch outs. Um, so I think this is a good time to work on that cuz obviously in a live game it's it takes a special talent to be able to punch the ball and secure a tackle. It's very impressive. I haven't really seen, I've seen it maybe one time, but it's just I can get into all that later, but it's just like the angle of where the back's at, where's the sideline out, where's a teammate at, like how protected am I? So right now it's just I'm just trying to work on punching a ball and I haven't got one yet. So I need to be better, don't I? I think Well, the one time I saw it, uh, it was that Fred Warner Vikings play on the goal line. He came pawn, she squared the guy up. He got the ball out, but I think he would have, if he didn't, if he missed and didn't get the ball, I think he would have tackled him. So I was just going to say, is that a big point of emphasis for you this this create more turnovers, punching the ball? I don't know. For me, I just feel like that's something that like a lot of people talk about, but it's if you apply it, I feel like it's there, but if sometimes people just kind of overlook it and it's not there. And I for me, I mean, turnovers won games in the NFL, so um for me, that's what I want to do. And uh just help in any way I can. I just want to be as productive as I can possibly be. Close to any punch outs out there? Close. I don't know. How different does this defense feel to you compared to last year at this time? Um for me all of it. No, for me I feel like obviously uh chef's still the same. I just and it starts with Dan. Like the team it start that starts with the team and the team feels identical. Everyone's out there hungry, ready to work. There's all this hurrah about last year. It's a new year. No one's thinking about last year and every single year you got to come into it with a mindset and if you don't come in with a mindset it's going to be a long year. So, um I'm looking just for guys and including myself to push it to the maximum. Um and just lay it all on the line every single week and no matter what and you saw it, no matter who gets hurt, whoever gets put in there is going to play at a high level. So, Brock Wright Offensive line kind of retooled. What do you see from those guys up front? Yeah. Um, a lot of tough guys up front, smart players. Um, been a lot of fun to work with the new guys in the re. Um, communication has been great. So, um, just continue to work with them, get on the same page with everything and, uh, continue to grind together. Do you set personal goals for yourself going into this season? Yeah, always. Can you share any of I mean, what do you want to show this year that maybe you haven't been able to show in the past if there is something? Um, well, you know, being a tight end, you want to be well-rounded in everything. (11:38) I'd say my main goals this year are to um create more movement in the run game, um be uh the best um pass pro tight end in the league and uh create more yards after catch when I do get the opportunities in the pass game. You and you and Sam both dealt with injuries last year. I mean, how refreshing is it to have both of you guys on the field here? Yeah, it's great together. Uh it's great. I love playing next to that guy so much. I was just saying a minute ago, he brings so much energy and juice to the offense. So, having him out there healthy is is huge for us. A lot of people have said that Drew's offense features tight ends a lot. Does that make you excited for what could potentially come? Yeah, it's great. I mean, it's just fun getting involved in a bunch of different ways and um he's great at getting us in there, mixing it up in different areas and so uh it's really fun to see the a lot of the potential that we have in this offense. Christian Mahogany Earlier this week, even on Wednesday, Dan spoke about the O line saying he expects improvement from last year. I mean, the expectation is even higher. How important is it for you guys to live up to that and what do you think makes you guys better? Well, when the headman, you know, comes calling, you gota you got to answer the call. So, that's what we'll try and do and that's what we're going to do. Can you speak about the competition that I mean again is going to happen at your position and kind of the fight to, you know, keep that spot? Yeah, competition is beautiful. You know, it's a blessing. Like, you don't stay content. You know, they say pressure makes diamonds, you know, so you just got to be ready. Come out and work every day. Those guys are really good, too. They're we're all in the NFL. We're all here to work, but at the end of the day, they're also my teammates. So, we want to all see each other be better as well. And, you know, whatever happens, that that's what's going to happen best for the team. You guys got some one-on-one pass rush today. It's no pads. How much do you how much weight you put on that? What does it mean? It's good. You know, you got to even though you know, no pads sucks. You know, you got to wait to get the pads on, but it's still same guys, same, you know, just pads just adds a little more oomph. How did you feel last year post injury? I felt all right. You know, it's hard to like, you know, that was my probably my second injury ever. So, you know, it's just the mental of it, how it happened in football, but you know, you just got to work through that eventually. And then now I feel great. So, it all worked out. On balance over the course of the year, were you pleased with the way you played? Where do you feel? No, I mean, I can never say I feel pleased. Like I said, I probably said this again repetitive. If once I feel pleased, like I said, I won't be here anymore. Like there won't be a Christian Mahogany in the building. I won't be here once I'm pleased. So, I'm never pleased. I definitely didn't play up to who I want to be and the player I want to be and who Hank and you know uh Brad and Dan want me to be. So I just got to be better in all facets of the game. Where do you think you've made your biggest gains heading into the year? Probably pass pro? Definitely. That was the biggest concern cuz you know playing no excuse but playing left guard for the full full full season. I haven't done that. I didn't do that in a long time. So just working on footwork, pass pro, cuz in the run, I love the run, you know, like just little nicks in here and there, but just polishing up the pass pro a lot this this offseason this summer. Would you come in at weight wise this year? Uh around the I think like 336 338. Yeah, around the same. No, nothing different. No. What does that polishing process look like? Was that type of tape? Yeah, definitely. That was the biggest thing. I watched I watched like I would say maybe two of my best games and then what got me and then like my worst games as well. And then just seeing what I did wrong, how I got beat. I'm never a guy that's going to be like, "Okay, I got beat. These guys these guys are NFL all pros. These guys are good. I'm never going to put my head down and be like, "Oh, damn. I lost." You know, you're going to lose, but it's how you lose, you know? So, the biggest thing for me was just watching how I lost, fixing that, and then just making sure it doesn't happen again. Does having someone like Skipper, someone you've played with now coaching you helped? It's definitely easier because you have a player-to-player relationship. Even though like I don't really see like it's hard to say he's my coach yet, but it's Dan. It's Skipper. He's a great dude. He's a great he's going to be a great coach and it's so much easier in the process to talk to him as well. For sure. The Lions first preseason game is at Cincinnati on Thursday Aug 13th at 7pm. Transcripts are created with an assist from AI

Dan Campbell Camp Day 3 Press Event 07/31/26 Dan Campbell kicked off his Day 3 press event with no opening statement and dove straight into questions. He did drop a few new nuggets on Izien and nickel, Gibbs "back" injury and talked about Dortch and the OL. Injury Summary New: Gibbs - Campbell mentioned a "back" issue during conditioning test, but it isn't serious 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 form offseason Updates Izien - Giving him one more day to rest up as he is still weak, should be back on Saturday Mahogany - Came of NFI/Injury today after the Press Conference and is practicing Quick Hitters Izien will sit one more day resting up from the flu. Hoped to get back today but will target this weekend (by Sunday) now. Campbell mentioned a "back injury" for Gibbs yesterday that came up during his conditioning test and confirmed today that it was not "serious." The plan was to get Izien some first-team reps at nickel prior to his illness. Said they are eyeing him for that spot. They have been smart with Ben Bartch, but he will start working into team reps next week. Lacy and McNeil looking good, with McNeil looking like his old self after favoring the leg last year Campbell is happy to have Juice Scruggs, but going against McNeil will be hard for anyone and make you a better player Compared the OL to DBs, needing reps to gel and develop that unspoken sense of cohesion Campbell is thrilled with the progress Jameson Williams has made and picked right back up where he left off in the Spring. Dan Campbell Press Event Transcript Opening Comment Uh, okay. Questions? Dan, we saw Derek Barnes have a nice kind of play in in coverage there and interceptions. More things than he has done in the past for you guys playing a little bit more in in space. Just how do you feel like that transition with him? How hard has he worked to improve that part of it? And is that something you guys see that that can be to your advantage? Yeah, we did, you know, spring just uh you know, Ham and uh and Dave uh really hit him on just a lot of the you know, the little things, man. And uh you know, credit to him, you know, he he's really focused on that, worked on that there. Again, we're two days in, so we got a ways to go. But look, there's a reason why Barnes is here. There's a reason why we like Barnes, man. He is an active linebacker. Uh you know, he's run and hit. Um, and I tell you what, I just in two days, but there's some things that are, man, the discipline, uh, the headiness is starting to show up, you know, and that's like that that's that's good stuff cuz he's got all of it, you know, he's got all the ability and so that fires you up, man. Um, so and that was a good pick. The only thing I told him, make sure you tuck it away. So, but that was good. Pushing back the start of Izien? Uh, we're not. No, we're one more day. Um that's the hope. We were hopeful today, man. We just Hey, let's back this up one more day. So hopefully after this day off Sunday, he's able to go. Had the flu, you know, he's just a little still a little weak. I just want to ask about uh Greg Dortch. You know, he said he uh he doesn't really like the uh the moniker gadget guy. Just, you know, he thinks of himself more as a playmaker. you know, after seeing him and obviously saw him before playing against him, but what do you think you have in him? How many different ways can he help you guys? Maybe it's the way you're pronouncing it. Just say it a different way. Gajer or something. Um he Did you see some of those returns yesterday? Those drills we had. I love Fipps. We the five on five some of the man his return ability really showed up. Um and he wasn't the only one. We had a couple other guys that were pretty, but that that was that was really impressive. But, you know, there again, Dortch has got a history here with uh with Ping, you know, so he knows what he's able to do. Certainly, we know what he's able to do from afar just on tape. And so, you know, for him it's man, where do you fit in at? You know, we we're going to need to be able to use you, rely on you. We feel pretty good so far about the return stuff. But there again, we got a whole camp to go. Um but we also got three pretty good receivers too uh right now at the top of this thing that we feel pretty good about, really good about. So, you know, his is finding where do I fit into that and where can I make my mark? And no, it doesn't I mean, look, we got plenty of guys that can that we can give a gadget to. I mean, Saint, we can give a gadget. We can give Jamo a gadget. We can give uh Gibbs a gadget. Uh so um his is man what where is that? What do I do best? Where can I fit into this and just play receiver? So we think of him that way. You can play Z, you can play F um and go to work. On yesterday you mentioned Gibbs had a little bit of a back. Any conditioning test? What was the severity of that? No, I don't think it's severe. And then the veteran safety group you kind of got right now, Izien, Maddox, Clark, um Harper. Uh what are the chances that any of those guys compete for the nickel? I think they all have experience there, but do you see those guys all getting a shot at that? So really the plan was to start this going in was that Izzy was gonna we were going to give him some of the base nickel stuff, you know, and then it didn't, you know, set this whole thing up and then that's kind of how it works and then, you know, he's not able to go. So, we adjust. But, you know, he's really, I think the let's give the first shot of, you know, more base reps, first and 10, you know, second and six or under, and uh let him play that. He's done that before. Um he's an active player around the box obviously. Um and so we, you know, that's on hold till he gets back, but he he's really the first guy we think of. We know Maddox can play nickel. I mean, he's lived in it through his whole career. Um but the intrigue for us, we know he can do that is the safety man, you know, and really Maddox has grown a ton just in a year at that position for us. So, you know, he and Chuck back there, they're again, it's early, but man, they work pretty good together and they communicate and uh they're both pretty savvy guys. So Tyler Lacy came in kind of that awkward time of year where you've spent all this time building and now, he's got to join and hit the ground running. Got in there a little bit when Davenport went down and played some of that big end for you. See him repping a lot this whole off season with some of your top defensive groupings. what do you like about, you know, what he's brought to the table and how much more prepared is he, I guess, to help you now that he's getting a full off season with you guys? Well, I'll start at the um really the most important man. He he's a football guy like he um he's a pro. This guy prepares uh he practices hard. He'll do whatever you ask him to do. Run over there, take special teams reps. Um he doesn't bat an eye. He's big, he's strong, he's stout, he's physical. Um, and so for that big end, especially big end in base, he's like the perfect big end in base. I mean, that's how you want him to uh that's the way you want him to look, the way you want him to play. Um, and so, you know, the next step for him will be some of this stuff where, okay, now we transition to nickel, slide to the three technique, you know, can you can you get a little get an edge on some of this rush stuff, you know? Um, and that'll be kind of the next push here. But as far as man, taking on the run, uh, setting edges, smart football player, uh, practices hard, plays hard. I mean, he's what you're looking for. Jacksonville, I think they've had him doing nose stuff. I mean, does that He he's got flex. I mean, that stuff in there, you ask him. Look, he he'll do it. You know, that's a dirty job. It's a dirty job, but he'll do it, you know, and he can do it. he could hold up if you asked him to do that. It's not the first thing we think of with him. Uh but it doesn't mean it wouldn't it wouldn't happen that way. Look, so much of this is man, what do they do? What's the best thing they do? Where do they fit in? And then once we get this roster where we want it, then it's uh he could be an example of he may have to play some nose. He may have to play some three on this. Uh Levi is another guy. Levi, you know, might need to play nose. Certainly three technique big end. Um, but that's not that's not the first place you work them at. Dan, earlier this spring when we talked to Alem, he was saying that he has kind of a renewed sense of feeling healthy after coming back. What do you see as the importance of his role and fit in the defensive line and the success of that unit with his with his health and production? Mac, is uh Mac is very important. It is going to be huge. Um it particularly when look on all of it it's big right when you're cuz you're part of the other 10 that are on that field. But when you're talking about um transition in rush off a play pass from the offense or even just here we go man. It's a known pass down. Somebody's going to get a one-on-one. You know somebody will get and a lot of times you can fabricate it to where you're going to get two one-on- ones. You know not always but well they're not going to let Hutch do that. They shouldn't and when you go back to last year that they're not teams aren't gonna allow that. We wouldn't allow that. Um you know and sometimes it'll be Mac that has to take it. Well now you know that your nose or the other ends got to win. But there's these times where either he's not doubled or Hutchin they got to win. Macs got to win. And he has the ability to win a one-on-one. And I know we're only two days in. We're springing two days in. But he does look better. He looks he looks like he's back to what he was. He's healthy and uh you know and I told you he would never say anything about it. He never did last year, but when we went back and watched clip after clip, back-to-back to back-to-back to back-to-back of all the season when you start going through all of these, he was favoring the leg a little bit. I mean, he I don't think he even realized it. And so, um it's just good to have him back, man. He looks great. He's moving well. and uh he's a huge uh piece for us on defense. How important is that interior rush with Alim and Levi, maybe some others to what you want to do defensively this year? It'll be big. It'll be big. Look, Kacy Rogers has done a heck of a job with those guys, but we feel like um we we've got some juice in there and then it's, you know, um and then certainly there's some clay to mold, but you know, between Wingo and Sky and certainly Mack and Levi's back, they all kind of bring a different flavor. We just talked about Lacy, that's a different type of rush now. That's a push the pocket, collapse it, long arm. Um, but man, we kind of like the body types, you know, the body types, the ability, and now it's just about, can you win a one-on-one? And then look, man, if we, you know, you got four guys, five guys that can win a one-on-one, then it's about how do we get them to the game and then get them on the field u when we get in these critical passing downs. Um, so we'll see it, but the interior rush is huge. It's huge. left guard position. That left guard position we've just kind of mostly seen Juice in there with the ones. Is um one how do you like how he's playing so far and two is that because you're working Ben back a little slowly there. Yeah. Um you're talking about Bartch on the back end. Let me start with Juice. Uh love Juice, man. He's a pro, you know, like he he's uh he's a pro. He same guy every day. Very consistent. Um, we know he can play center and some of the guard stuff is, hey, let let's, you know, Mahogany is out right now. Talked about Bartch. We're being smart with Barge. We hope we start to get some team reps next week with him. That's the plan. Um, I would say up to this point, I hate to I hate to say too much about O-line D-line until we get pads on. Um, but I would say there's just a couple of things he's gotten edged on here early. Now, it's also going against Alim McNeil and Mac practicing really well right now. And so, some of this stuff will come, but I I'm glad we got juice. Kind of follow up to that. I mean, you can't do much until you put the pads on, but from your scope, what does cohesion look like for an offensive line whenever you have a lot of new pieces or people moving around from to different spots? Well, it it's um look, it's really I say this all the time, but it's between the O line and the DBs. I feel like there's the that's the most correlation when you start talking about communication and how they flow. And a lot of times things happen without a word being said. Once you really get to know the guy you're next to and you got a smart, headsy group and they're pretty aware, instinctive is man, you start anticipating these things. You start anticipating the movement, the spikes, the pressure, and uh and you're working all as one. Like, okay, Sewell knows that, he feels it. He's already stepping down. And the guard, if he feels it, then he knows I don't need to go flying out to Sewell. I can just sit here and wait cuz Sewell will pass it to me. For example, otherwise, you're stepping on each other, right? Sewell's stepping it. He feels it. You don't feel it. I stepped on Sewell's foot. Sewell's tripping. You know this and it's that's what happens. And it takes time, man. And uh and there again, the faster we can get these five established and they just need reps together over and over and over and over, then the better you're going to be. And it look, it's a work in progress. We will be much better by the time we hit game one. But this thing is going to go now. It it's going to take even when we get it there because we have some young players. They're going to grow as the season goes. It's going to take a minute, you know. With Jameson uh going into last season. I mean, even the conversation continued to be about his kind of potential, but how much did last year go towards, you know, just validating who he is just because of, you know, some of the stuff he had to overcome over the during the first half of the season as far as targets and all that. Yeah. You're talking about J Mo. Yes. Uh I think last year was big in his growth. You know, it's really the most complete year he's had, right? And uh man, he got to, you know, he played every game. Um man, he had some critical plays, critical targets for us. Um certainly got a good pretty good heavy dose there towards the back end of the year. And you can't help but your confidence goes up. The more plays you make, the more your confidence goes up. But I'll say this, he he's doing all the little things right. That's where he's made the most growth, man. You man, watch his route definition, man. Watch the details to it. Him dropping his weight, man. him pulling out, playing strong, catching the ball, reaching out, plucking. Um, and so with his ability, man, the sky's is the limit. And that's what you're starting to see. And that began to happen and it became much more consistent. And then golf, his confidence goes way up. And now he can let the ball loose a little bit sooner. And uh, and so, look, he he's going to have a big year for us. All those skilled guys are going to have a big year for us. So, uh, man, I love where he's at. Um he picked up where he left off at the end of the season. I thought he improved in spring and it looks like two days in he he's where he left off in spring. Man, I love where he's at. Transcripts are created with the assist of AI

It has been anticipated for a while that we were wondering if we were going to even see it, but the Detroit Lions came through late yesterday and published their 2026 Draft Edition of Inside the Den. Detroit Lions 2026 Draft Edition of Inside the Den We won't detail it with a full transcript, as watching one of these is such joy, but we will hit the summary key points and takeaways below. Key points and Takeaways Day 1 Blake Miller was always the guy. Lions tried to trade up with Miami at 12 to get him, and Miami declined and ultimately took Kayden Proctor who was widely speculated to the Lions Holmes confirmed that once LA went QB Ty Simpson, they were confident that Miller was falling to them at 17 Miller held a virtual interview with at least Hank Fraley, and Fraley rapid fires him questions just like you would expect lol Campbell, Holmes and Sheila were joking about getting their guy and not having to give up a damn thing to do it. (They Tried though) At the tail end of Night 1, Campbell is seen pointing out to Rod Wood a group of rushers they expect to pull their Rd 2 pick from, and nonchalantly says "I do like Moore a lot" Separately, Brad Holmes is telling Steve and Sheila that "I think Derrick Moore will be there. Which would be great." Day 2 Day 2 opens with Campbell telling Steve and Sheila that Derrick Moore is the guy they are targeting Holmes indicated that he though Moore would be there at 50, but when KC took Oklahoma Edge R Mason Thomas at 40, Holmes started thinking about moving up, checking in with Miami at 43. Holmes ended up having Dorsey call the Jets and offer 50 and 128 to move to 44 to grab Moore. Holmes said he had multiple 4ths, so went ahead and made the move to not lose out on their top guy Holmes really liked that Moore went to the Senior Bowl and strung together a great week against top competition. Not only the clip of him putting the OT on his butt, but all the team stuff he just popped. Moore had an official combine interview with Shep and Kacy Rodgers and Moore said his favorite move he stole from Hutch At the end of Day 2, Holmes asked his player personnel guys if they would take Abney over Law, and Ray Agnew and Brian Hudspeth said yes, while Dwayne Joseph and John Dorsey said they would take Law over Abney. Holmes said he likes both, foreshadowing the future. Meanwhile, Don Corzine jumps in and says that he loves Jimmy Rolder, and it was said he won't make it back to round 5 and they need to make a decision on him. Holmes asked for rankings on Halton (DT KC Rd 4 Pk 7/107), Rolder, Abney and Law. Holmes also randomly says that "Gill-Howard is pretty good too." after asking for the rankings Day 3 Chargers called about moving up to 118 from 123 for a 6th rounder. Holmes said he would do that if their top guy (Rolder) was gone. Then Chargers jumped right in front of the Lions at 117, and Holmes thought they were going to take Rolder and Holmes was super excited when they took OT Burke. Rolder had a virtual with Dion-Hamilton pre-draft. Holmes and Campbell were discussing Abney and Law at the start of Rd 5. They settled on Abney at 157 and Holmes wanted to know cost to move up from 181 to 168 (BUF) to get Law, which Adkins said was one of the 6ths (218.) Holmes was thrilled they ended up with all three of Rolder, Abney and Law. Thought they could all possibly go in the 3rd. Apparently, Abney broke his hand against Utah, came back in the game, had surgery on Monday, at practice Tuesday and played in the game on Saturday, so no missed games. Had a virtual with Townsend pre-draft, and his confidence shown through. As Rd 6 started, Gill-Howard was their highest rated player left, but they also like Tyre West, with Campbell saying they are different players (both DTs) that serve different roles. Holmes quipped he wouldn't be opposed to getting both of them (foreshadowing again.) Detroit Lions Braintrust of Dorsey, Adkins, Holmes, Disner & Spielman

The Detroit Lions made another roster move on Friday morning prior to Day 3 of camp, re-signing TE Anthony Firkser and cutting TE Zach Horton. Detroit Lions cut TE Zach Horton and sign TE Anthony Firkser Dan Campbell just wrapped his press event about 20 minutes ago and this news hadn't come out yet, but with TE Ty Conklin laid up for the next couple of weeks and the pads coming on soon, it's likely that the team wanted to get another experienced veteran into the TE room to make sure that the offense had full capabilities. Firkser is 31 and Horton is only 23, but Firkser is much more athletic an d must have caught the Lions eye in that short stint last fall. Firsker was signed by the Lions to the practice squad in November last year after Sam LaPorta was injured and brought up to the active roster on 11/26. He was not re-signed as a Free Agent after the year by the team who had loaded up the TE room with six players. Horton has been a Lions since May of 2025 primarily on the practice squad and was signed to a futures deal once the season ended. RAS compare between Firkser and Horton

The Lions are back in Allen Park for Day 2 of camp today, and they will be a bit more shorthanded at a couple of positions due to new injuries that have popped up. One of these resulted in a surprise placement on the NFI and fueled additional speculation about this player's long-term viability with the team. Lions' specialist LS Hogan Hatten, P Jack Fox and K Jake Bates - Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions 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 RB Jahmyr Gibbs, S Brian Branch, S Kerby Joseph, TE Tyler Conklin, OG Christian Mahogany, S, Christian Izien, OL Gio Manu, EDGE/DE Peyton Turner New 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 Existing (No Changes) RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Contract Dispute) Missed Day 2 practice but is in the building and attending meetings per St brown. 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 TE Tyler Conklin (PUP) Calf injury, return is targeted for ~Aug 12th-13th. OG Christian Mahogany (NFI/injury) No specific injury cited but targeted for return around Camp practice Day 3-4. S Christian Izien (NFI/Illness) Izien has a Flu bug target is Friday practice to come off the PUP. Transactions Lions Placed Giovani Manu on the NFI/Injury list Training Camp Day 2 Observations form the Lions Media General Observations LB Derrick Barnes logged the first interception of Training Camp off a blitz fake and picked off Goff on a crossing route to LaPorta. The offense was really working the screen game on Day 2 from multiple reports, and the defense was handling it pretty well. The Lions interior defenders were sharp today, with Onwuzurike and Hassanein observed putting themselves in position to make big plays with good interior line moves. Theme fo the day was backup skill guys seen making really good plays, including Zach Horotn, Teddy Bridgewater and Ceridck Wilson, who made the catch of the day with a one-hander form Teddy. LB Jimmy Rolder was observed continuing to be in position to make plays in his run stops, blitzes and coverage duties. During FGs, Bates was observed going 6 of 8 with a couple of kicks being pushed wide right. Longest makes were ~53 yards with the misses coming on back-to-back 43-yard attempts. Vaki spent time after practice working on choice routes between the tackling dummies after making the wrong read earlier in a drill and was the last player on the field. The only player that was observed not handling a kickoff cleanly was Lawrence Keys Lions WR Cedric Wilson makes one-handed grab Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions Offensive Line 1st OL: Sewell-Scruggs-Mays-Ratledge-B Miller Borom received work exclusively at 2nd Team OTs and 6th OL 2nd OL: N/A 3rd OL: N/A 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, Toim Kennedy Backups: Everyone Else TE 1st Unit: Sam LaPorta 2nd Unit: Brock Wright 3rd Unit: Miles Kitselman/Jackson Meeks Depth: Horton/Gordon DL 1st Unit: Hutch-McNeil-Williams- Lacy (Wonnum - nickel) Tyler Lacy has been the "big' DE in a Five-man with Ahmed Hassanein the 2nd Big End and Onwuzurike getting some reps today 2nd Unit: N/A-Onwuzurike-N/A-Hassanein LBs 1st Tean - Campbell, Barnes and Rodriguez have been the starters in all sessions Starting nickel LBs are Campbell and Barnes 2nd Team - Rolder (Mike), Clark (Will) and Nowaske (Sam) 3rd team - Unknown Safety 1st Team - Avonte Maddox (In for Izien in for Kerby) and Chuck Clark (In for Brian Branch) 2nd team - Thomas Harper, Loren Strickland and Dan Jackson 3rd team - Unknown Nickel McCreary and Abney Outside CBs 1st Team - DJ Reed and Ya-Sin/Rakestraw 2nd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown 3rd Team - Nick Whiteside and Unknown Punt Returners Day 1 - WR Greg Dortch, RB Isiah Pacheco, WR Tom Kennedy, WR Dominic Lovett, WR Lawrence Keys and WR Amon-Ra St Brown were the reported participants Kick Returners Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Isiah Pacheco, Dominic Lovett, Malik Cunningham, Lawrence Keys, Isaac TeSlaa and AMon-Ra St Brown. Gunners Unknown Rookies Blake Miller - He appears to have locked up that RT starting role as he has taken virtually all 1st team reps in both days but had his "welcome to the league" moment a couple times today by Hutch and McNeil reportedly. Derrick Moore - Observed as being part of the kickoff blockers unit when the team went with bigger players. Jimmy Rolder - Rolder impressed some of the folks in attendance with his general awareness and ability to consistently put together plays. Nothing super splashy, just being in the right place at the right time. His Was mentioned as taking 2nd team MLB reps. Was noted as being the 2nd team Mike LB once again and also getting credit for a "sack" Keith Abney II - Showed up in Camp Day 2 photos Kendric Law - Done for season with a torn ACL suffered win OTA Week2 practices Skyler Gill-Howard - Mentioned as seeing an increase in the number of reps he is getting. Tyre West - Also observed seeing an increase in number of reps in camp from OTAs UDFAs Luke Altmyer - Comments from those in attendance is that he had some nice touch passes today but needs to get rid of the ball quicker. He also outperformed Bridgewater on accuracy in an individual QB drill. Miles Kitselman - Had a great day 1, was observed getting the wrong end of attention on Day 2. He had a couple of pre-snap errors that drew the ire of the staff, but he is still getting the snaps that Ty Conklin would had he not been injured. Anthony Lucas - Observed as being part of the kickoff blockers unit when the team went with bigger players. Erick Hunter - It was observed that he was cooked on a wheel route by Meeks, but Altmyer went the other side of the field and missed a walk-in TD. Lions Rookies CB Keith Abney II, QB Luke Altmyer and OT Blake Miller Photos - Jeff Nguyen & Nicole Scharff Detroit Lions Dan Campbell Opening Press Conference Dan Campbell had his 2026 Training Camp Day 2 press conference this morning, and we provided a summary and full transcript earlier today. Below are some quick points that came out of it: Dan Campbell Camp Day 2 Press Event 07/30/26 Injury Summary New: Peyton Turner - Stiff back, nothing serious Giovani Manu - Added to NFI/Injury List due to previously undisclosed injury form offseason No Changes: Branch - Potentially Early September Kerby - Likely will linger into the season on same timeline as Branch Conklin - Calf in Spring, Two Weeks Izien - Flu bug likely back Friday Mahogany - Couple of Days Quick Hitters No changes on injuries from yesterday, two new items in Manu and Turner came up Campbell loves Gibbs and was thinking the Gibbs contract situation would have already been done, but he will coach who is present and understands the situation as both a player and coach in the league. says he isn't sweating it, and Gibbs did his conditioning test. Campbell said the silver lining is that all the other backs will get extended work including with the first team Really likes that Nick Whiteside has seized the opportunity and continues to improve. Made more plays than anyone yesterday per Campbell. Manu injury was not disclosed, happened in offseason ad has a 12–14-week timetable, so he went on NFI. Didn't offer any praise or other feedback on Manu in his answer. Campbell said they are super proud of Tyleik determining that he was too heavy and that he put in tons of work including coming in early, to get himself in shape and down to 325. Which is right where they want him at. Reduced weight means he may be out there more on third down and the line in general will be lighter, with Lopez ad Reader no longer with the team. Will likely change a bit how the DL front works. Campbell touched on the concern around LaPorta getting his back to where it needs to be for his heath. Media Scrums with Players The Lions had media availability with DE Aidan Hutchins, WR Amon-Ra St Brown. S Kerby Joseph and LB Derrick Barnes after Day 2 camp practice. Camp day 2 Lions Player Media Scrum Aidan Hutchinson At this point last year, we were asking you about your health and you said you felt great. You proved that 17 games you played and everything. To be back out here in camp, none of those questions are coming at you. How free is it to be out there with you guys with that type of Yeah, extremely liberating, man. It's uh feel like a new person uh physically, mentally. Um I think feel like there was a lot looming last year going into the season and um man, it just feels good like everything's settled and I can really just focus on football. keep it keep it uh you know keep what's important kind of in front of me. With that being said, how high have you set goals for yourself this year? Yeah, I mean every year we're shooting for the stars. How does how does that comfortability manifest itself, you know, throughout training camp and through these first two days? Like how does it just allow you to be out there? Yeah, I feel like I'm at my best when I'm just uh when they kind of give me the green light and I can just uh play to my fullest potential, you know, and um talking with Casey, Casey Rogers, he's just uh it's like it's just the full green light and I think he's got all the trust and belief in me and um I do I do to him as well. So, it's just uh we have a great relationship and um one that he I feel like he really uh he really frees me up. Coach, what has to happen over the next couple weeks for you to feel comfortable going into week one? We could start next week and I'd be all right. Personally, um, but I know we got to install some new plays and stuff. So, uh, and get this defense on the same page. Um, it's been it's been a good start for us, but yeah, I feel like, man, it's year five. I could I could jump into it next week and be uh and be just fine. I feel You got some new pieces around you. How are the new guys fitting in? Good, man. Good. Uh, a couple new DNS uh with uh PT, Demo, uh DJ, all those dudes. Uh Amed's coming along. We got a lot of new faces, but um man, a lot of those dudes are my kind of dudes, you know, just uh quieter dudes, but like they really show it on the field. Uh I love that, you know. So, um, I'm really looking forward to working with him. With Ahmed, it's kind of like this is really his rookie year, even though he has a year of kind of be being a pro to an extent. What have you seen from him so far and how he's been able to tackle this as well? Yeah, man. He uh, Ahmed, he I know he trained real hard this offseason, got in really good shape. So, I think physically he's got all the pieces right now. he's just got to, you know, mentally get in football um and get as many reps as he can in order to just, you know, expedite that that learning curve a little bit. And I think he's been doing he's been doing a great job. Can you just talk about uh some of the biggest changes, I guess, that you've seen from year one to year two now with Shep uh as biggest changes from Shep? Um I think he evolved a lot in the in the season. You know, I think by the end of the season, I felt we were playing some really good ball um defensively and uh man, I think um his ability to like listen to players and listen to feedback. I don't feel like he has an ego in that sense where if I were to go up to him and tell him something, he wouldn't be offended if I was questioning X, Y, or Z. But, um man, he's so smart. Uh, I think I think we have all the faith in the world in him. Amon-Ra St Brown How's it feel to be out there? Feels great, man. Feels good to be back. Training camp is here, so it's nice to be back playing ball. Is there any differences? I think uh Shep said back in the spring like the offense was showing the defense a lot of stuff that they didn't really even get to last year till later training camp. Do you feel like you're kind of the curve from where you were last year? Uh, I mean I guess maybe a little a little so uh just with the stuff that we have in we have a lot of stuff in. We ran a lot of stuff in OTAAS and we're kind of picking up where we left off. So, uh, I think the guys, you know, we understand the offense pretty well. Um, Drew's done a great job of installing it. Scotty's done a great job of teaching us everything. I mean, Scotty's Scott is super smart, so he helps us out a lot. And I think we've just all done a good job of collaborating and just honing in on the offense. What are you working on at this stage of your career? Like what are you what are you trying to get better at? Um you know for me it's just being consistent every year. That's the biggest thing. Um being a good teammate, being a leader. Um doing whatever I can do to help the team win. That's the biggest thing. That leader part just how have you embraced that? Dan talked about this is Saints team, this is Penei's team now. And just what's the evolution of kind of getting into that role and now that you're there, how much have you embraced it? Yeah, I think um you know obviously it starts with what you do on the field. Um you know taking care of business there, showing guys, you know, just leading by example. I think that's the biggest thing. And then after that, it's just bringing guys along. You know, whether it's a young guy, whether it's an older guy that's maybe lost some confidence, whatever it is, bringing the whole team along um so that we can, you know, reach that end goal. So much of what we try to tell about you guys in this in this camp sometimes is so surface level trying to get back to the message of grit and all that, but how much is an offense understanding an offense and feeling comfortable in it that really drives what you guys are trying to do during the summer? I think it's really important um when everyone's on the same page, everyone understands the offense, um you understand why you're doing certain things, um why you have emotion on a certain play, why we're killing it, whatever it may be. Um once you get to that second level, third level of understanding the offense, you're just able to play that much faster. everyone's on the same page. Um, and you can kind of tell when offense is flowing and everyone gets it and everyone's just, you know, making plays. The ball's being spread around. You're got a good run and pass game combination. It's just, you can tell when offense is flowing. That's what I feel like every offense wants to get to, but you got to work through the kinks definitely in training camp with installing different plays. You know, not every play is designed to beat the defense. You want to, you know, coach want to get certain looks and see if certain plays work. So, that's all part of it. But, as soon as you get closer to the season, that's when you're really holding on everything. It'll be inevitable for us to compare. How did that come from for you guys this year to where you guys were last year? What gives you the confidence that this offense as a whole can take a big step forward this this season? Uh, I think the guys that we have, the guys that we have on our offense. Um, what happened last year? I think is motivating a lot of us as a team, even as an offense. Um, but I think just the guys, the coaches, all of us here in this building, I mean, I'm confident in everyone. Saint, what do you need to see in order for you to say, "Ah, we got it". Um, I mean, I feel like there's never enough that that you can see as a player. Um, because each week is different. You can have, you know, you can go for 500 yards of off 500 yards of offense one game, score 50 points, and the next game only score six points. So, in this league, it's all about, you know, doing it on a consistent weekly basis and winning games. Um, if we win a game, you know, 6 to 5, that's fine. If we win a game 51 to 50, that's also fine. Whatever it takes to win at this point. Um, but as an offense, we definitely have a standard and we know what our standard is and every game is different, but we want to be up to that standard every game if we can. Dan keeps talking about you want to get back the way things want to get back the way things work. What does that mean to you? Um, yeah, I think for I think it just means, you know, the way we the way we practiced each and every day. Um, the way we the way we played. um that that chip that we had on our shoulder every each and every game where we felt like we were the under underdog every game. Um just getting back to that I think you know it's not going to be too hard for us to get back to that after what happened last year. Um and I think we're you know we're on our way there. We just got to keep putting the work in each and every day. You're obviously close to Jahmyr. You've been through the kind of contract negotiating process before. Have you been a sounding board for him during this process for him? Uh you know Jahmyr is my dog. Um I miss him out here. I think he'll be out here hopefully sooner rather than later. Um, you know, I talked to him quite a bit. Um, obviously I can't share with you guys everything. Um, but I love Jahmyr. I miss him out here. Like I said, he'll be out here sooner rather than later hopefully. How is the team killing with that internally? Just I think they're doing fine. Um, obviously you're missing we're missing one of our best players um on offense which sucks. Um, but he's still in the building. He's still you know at all the meetings and everything. So, I think that the players understand, you know, what's going on. Everyone kind of gets it. Um, it's part of this business, but I think we're, you know, we're still out there practicing, doing our thing. Guys stepping up, Isaiah, Vaki, Saylor. So, um, giving other guys opportunity, too, to maybe show what they can do. So, this is, you know, it all works out for a reason. So, I take it didn't catch guys. Nah. Is that the silver lining that uh Dan Campbell can talk about where other guys get opportunities? Yeah, I mean you got to take advantage of any every opportunity you get in this league. Um whether it's a guy sitting out like Jahmyr and this is your chance to maybe get plays that you wouldn't have gotten if he was, you know, practicing or you know, whatever happens, a guy maybe goes down for a week and you got to step up and make plays. Whatever happens, this league is very unique and it um you know, guys get their opportunities in many different ways. And so if this is a way that you know, another running back can maybe show what they can do and help our team win games, then so be it. And then that running back needs to take that take that opportunity. A lot of people are predicting a year or two jump from Isaac. What have you seen from him this offseason so far? He looks good. Um, you know, Isaac looks a lot more comfortable. Um, you know, I think just him understanding what to expect with camp, the practices, um, the playbook, feeling more comfortable, the speed of the game, understanding, you know, the offense. Um, offense isn't too hasn't changed too much from last year. Obviously, there's some new terminology, whatnot, but a lot of it has stayed the same. So for Isaac, I think, you know, I put myself in issues when I was going into year two. It's like you start to understand the plays. You're like, he's saying to play early on, you already know what the inning is going to be. So he cannot think about how to get open, what release he wants to use. So just being able to play fast, I think, is the biggest thing for him. And he's shown that. And I think he's going to have a big jump this year. What's the biggest difference you've seen out of the offense with Drew? just is it just the window dressing type of stuff that you guys or how would you how would you characterize that? I think it's still early. It's still early. It's tough to tell. Um a lot of the plays that we run in practice are scripted. Um so it's not, you know, we haven't had any call periods really yet. Um so I'm excited to see that. But I mean, Drew's done a great job of um I mean, the schemes he has, the plays he's designing, the, you know, combination, making run look, making the runs look like passes, everything, making everything look the same until it's not. Um he's doing a great job of that. So, I'm just excited to, you know, to be working with him. I know he's excited to be working with us and we just got to keep on, you know, keep on working through the kinks, like I said, each and every day. Kerby Joseph We saw you out here yesterday working out. Looked like a big step. I mean, obviously, you're in the biggest move right now. So, can you just how you feeling after everything you've been through the last 12 months? I just want to say first and foremost, God is so good. Like, I love God with all my heart and he has blessed me in so many different ways and I'm just so thankful and so joyful just to even be here today, you know? So, when I go out there and I work hard, I do it for him. Have you maybe felt your mindset changed since your baptism? Yeah. Yeah. My baptism, man, it was like a opening. Like, it opened a lot of things to me. Like God opened my eyes and showed me a lot of things and I'm just so thankful for it cuz if I never got baptized, I would never be able to see the things that I needed to see. What's your level of optimism for the for what you can contribute this year? My optimism? Yeah. What do you mean? How optimistic are you that you're going to be on the field early in the season grow? I'm super optimistic, man. I never gave up. I never I'm going to always work hard. All I do is work. If you see me outside, I'm working. You know what I'm saying? The last 10 months been for you. I'd say that was my walk with God. Even though I got bad news, I was walking with God. I swear. Has it gotten any better? Like, do you do you feel better than you did six, eight months ago? Honestly, like the best way I could describe that right there, I got a YouTube channel called Zap Network. You know, go click the YouTube link on my Twitter, on my Instagram by it. Tell you everything you need to know. It's called Fly. I got a song that dropped. It's called Fly Today. Y'all go check it out. It's It sound pretty good. I'm a part-time rapper, football first foremost, you know. I play football for But the song sound good. Go check it out. What were some of the lengths that you went to try to do the length? Yeah. Ah, I found God. That's the length I needed. I told y'all I didn't need to do nothing else, nothing more. I just needed to strengthen my relationship with God cuz God going to take care of the rest. It was something out of my control. So, I gave everything to God. Kerby, you said that you woke up uh one morning last year and the knee was just swollen. It was just swollen. Can you explain when that was and kind of what that meant for you? Uh I don't remember when it was. Somewhere around when they dropped the article, you know, when it happened. It was the same day. I like everybody found it at the same time. I found it at the same time. Everybody else found out at the same time. I woke up, it was swollen. I ain't think nothing much, you know. I just like I can still run. I do all this. I'm going to go out there and practice. You know, we had a scrimmage, but I'm running. I'm like, man, I ain't that fast today. I thought I was, you know, I ate I ate good that day. So, I'm thinking there's a little breakfast or something going out. No, my knees just I couldn't, you know, and I got the MRI. I got the news. I said I peeped though cuz they was telling me about my injury and all that this and that. I'm say only person that helped me with this is God. So, we going to, you know, do what it do until I, you know, God say I got to sit down and God sat me down Kansas game and there you go. Even if if God was the instrument that made it happen, what doctors, what who else did you see to maybe help me get through it? Okay. See, things like that I can't disclose. Okay. But God brought people into my life and that I'm so thankful that I met these people and I just hope that they're receiving all the blessings they get and all the support and love that they gave me. I'm super thankful for. And that's all I can say about it. How cautious do you have to be now moving forward? I mean, is it a playby-play thing? Is it cautious? You trying to call me scary? No, I'm not. You trying to call me scary? I go hard. Every time you see me, I go hard. That's it. Yeah. Yeah. Dan told us yesterday it' be a bonus if you would be on the field for week one. Have you tried to set up a timeline for yourself? God going to work it out. I Hey, God got the timeline. Whenever God want me out there, I'm going to be out there. You know, God don't want me out there, I ain't going to be out there. But God want me out there, I'm going to be out there. What was you made a couple attempts to come back and practice last year and obviously was like And that was the beginning of my walk with God. You know, he literally sat me down like sat me down and I listened. You know, I feel like when God set sit a lot of people down, they don't listen. Well, me I listen like coach, you ain't got to yell at me, you ain't got to do that. Just tell me what I got to do. I'mma do it. You know. How does it feel right now? How I feel right now. I can really describe how I feel right now. If you click my YouTube short, go on my YouTube, click my YouTube short, I got fly today. Go check it out. It's a hit. I got more coming. Just stay tuned to Zap Network is coming. All your answers, all your question, all the questions you got, Zap Network. Zoop out. Derrick Barnes Are you sort of like, can you talk about linebacker stream? Is that part of it you hope to prove you can you can do this camp and this? Yeah. Yeah, no doubt. I mean, uh, you know, like a bunch of guys I feel like in our room cover really good. I mean, Jack has definitely ele elevated in that game. Um, he's always been all-around player, covering, uh, run stopper, um, playing his own coverage, playing man coverage, blitzing. Um, so, you know, obviously it was put in our ear that, you know, now that Angel's gone, one of the freaking best cover backers I ever been around, um, and ever seen, you know, obviously we have to pick up that slack. Um, and I'm just I'm ready for the challenge. You know, me and Jack, I feel like, and a lot of other guys can go out there and fill that role for sure. I got a lot of good guys, a lot of good athletic guys, a lot of people, you know, veterans who know the game. Um, and obviously coaches don't put us in the right position to be able to be successful in that aspect also too. Last one for me with sort of the shuffling pieces in the secondary and some of the injuries back there and losses. How much as a front seven are you guys putting on yourselves to kind of set the tone leaders of this defense at least secondary get healthy? Yeah, no doubt. I mean man, even with the secondary, the guys we had out there, man, we got veteran guys like um you know, and people back there, man, they're they do I mean I see them back there competing today, man. It's amazing to see. Obviously, it's competition in that room due to the fact that, you know, a couple our guys are, you know, out, but that's how we like it, man. It's always next man up mentality. Um, it's just fun to see fun to see the competitiveness back there. Um, as far as the front seven, I mean that, you know, we got a bunch of guys that came back from last year, a bunch of veteran guys now, it's crazy that I'm technically in the No, not really. Um well being here I'm the oldest kind of playing wise but obviously we got like Joe Batchi and um Troy people just came in here was a little older than me but they weren't here last year but um no I think that um you know you got a group of guys like that who played a lot of football know especially in the front seven you know there's a lot of more communication a lot more chemistry there um and you know I think that we all had to just pick up where other like the other people slack rather like if you know if we need to pick up the linebackers pick up the slack for the D line and D line pick up slack from linebackers, linebackers, or it just vice versa. Um, and I think that's where we thrive. I think we thrive in, you know, um, coach always say, um, you know, put the fire out and that's what we out there to do, uh, day in and day out. And I'm super excited about what's going on out there, even though it's day two, pass not on, you know, the it whatever you see when we in pajamas, pajamas, it's totally different when the pass come on and hopefully in a good way. Um, so for me it's just, you know, elevating my game each and every day, learning, continue to grow my IQ of the game. Um, watch myself correcting mistakes, not making the same mistakes I did, uh, in the past practices. But, no, I'm super excited for, you know, our defense, man. I'm super excited for what Shep has in store for our defense. Know, we got a lot of weapons, pass rushers, linebackers, some competitive DBs, really good DBs. Um, so yeah, I'm excited to see what this camp takes us. So, there's no gray in that beard yet? Not yet. I ain't getting stressed yet, man. I you know I I hope I don't start coming but no I just man um No. Yeah, for sure. I'm getting there though. No, I ain't that old. I'm young. Anybody see I'm young. Okay. Just turned 27. There you go. How hopeful are you that uh Branch and Kirby can be back on the field and how important are they to your defense? Oh man. Um first of all, those two are thunder and lightning, man. They're I remember playing remember watching Kirby in college, man. He uh Big 10 guy. Um man, I always knew that he had it. Uh Kirby, man, he's a ball hog, man. He he knows the game. Um and then you got you got BB, man. He is like the most explosive player I've ever been around. Like, it's insane. I mean, just his playmaking ability on the ball. Um man, it'd be nice to have both of those guys back, but obviously that's not the case right now. So, other guys will pick up that slack. And we have another good group of guys um that's filling in the role for them. um that's fighting for starting jobs and that's doing a wonderful job. Um but with those two man, I just, you know, pray that, you know, everything works out. You know, they're obviously they're in my prayers and um you know, obviously it's it will always be great to have them. Um but at this time, you know, we're really focused on, you know, trying to get them the healthiness that they that they need to be in order to be back with the team. So, Um obviously, we know that, you know, you guys had some exit through the offseason. Just, you know, we got Malcolm Rodriguez got a chance to step up and take a bigger role in this defense. Just what have you been seeing from him so far and how are you expecting him to play in this bigger role Man uh man I love Malcolm man he um man he's a guy that you know especially when the pass come on that's you hear him you see him you hear him uh man Malcolm man he's super smart man super you know his awareness of the game just like he he's so what you call that just instinctive like it it's really great to watch great to watch and see from him, man. He's uh he's going to help us help us out a lot. Um and so is everybody else. You know, obviously we're still competing for jobs and roles and all that stuff, but man, just know he's he I'm inspired by him, the way he goes out and play and put his all into the game and how he never lets anything get in the way of, you know, what he wants from himself and, you know, that's lovely to see. But no, I'm expecting a big year out of him. Um I know that, you know, him taking over that role, I know he's going to do a wonderful job with it. The Lions first preseason game is at Cincinnati on Thursday Aug 13th at 7pm.