The Detroit Lions returned to practice Sunday with a focus on improving after their uneven loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. During training camp, Jameson Williams’ Lions coverage came under scrutiny as veteran cornerback D.J. Reed consistently limited the young wide receiver’s impact on the field.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed a desire for the offense to convert more first downs to increase valuable repetitions during practice. Though the team gained sufficient looks defensively, Campbell stressed the importance of advancing deeper into the red zone offensively to fully prepare for game situations.
I’d like to see more first downs on offense, but I guess you can’t really fabricate those either in joint (practices). Look, if anything, you would’ve liked to have felt like you got in the red-zone more offensively and gotten some of those reps,
Campbell said.
Defensively, I felt like we got everything except a good two-minute drive, but everything else we pretty much saw defensively. Offensively, you’d like to get down in that red-zone a little bit more. And that requires not turning the ball over as we know and then converting on first downs, but that would be the big thing whereas joint practices you know you’re gonna get those. Base reps, third downs, all of those. So probably that.
—Dan Campbell, Head Coach
Returning Players Bolster The Defensive Secondary
The Lions saw key defensive personnel return to the practice field Sunday, including safeties Kerby Joseph and Amik Robertson, alongside offensive lineman Taylor Decker, who participated in individual drills for the first time after offseason surgery. However, some injuries remain a concern, with cornerback Ennis Rakestraw and safety Dan Jackson leaving practice due to injuries sustained during drills.
Rakestraw’s exit followed a hard fall during tackling drills, an unsettling occurrence as he had just come back after a chest contusion earlier in camp. Other defensive backs such as Terrion Arnold remained sidelined with a hamstring injury, forcing adjustments in the secondary.
The absence of Rakestraw and Arnold opened opportunities for veterans like Rock Ya-Sin, who impressed the coaching staff and took snaps at safety. Meanwhile, DiCaprio Bootle received significant first-team action at cornerback, paired alongside star cornerback D.J. Reed. The safety duo of Joseph and Brian Branch anchored the secondary’s backfield.
Strong Defensive Presence in Tackling Drills
The Lions defense dominated the early 1-on-1 tackling sessions, showcasing solid fundamental play. Linebackers Alex Anzalone, Grant Stuard, and Trevor Nowaske all secured wins in their initial reps, while cornerback Avonte Maddox continued to impress. Defensive lineman Isaac TeSlaa also stood out with physical play that overcame his offensive opponent Erick Hallett.
Interestingly, Stuard and running back Sione Vaki swapped roles during drills, with Stuard—the linebacker—coming out on top in their match-up. Other standout defensive linemen such as Tyleik Williams, Nate Lynn, and Chris Smith contributed to the team‘s physical approach at the line of scrimmage.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Shows Dominance Over Brian Branch
One of the more electrifying moments came during 1-on-1 drills as wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown asserted himself against safety Brian Branch. Both regarded among the top players at their respective positions, this matchup featured multiple wins by St. Brown, igniting the crowd and demonstrating his ability to elevate the offense.
Offensive Line Adjustments Test Depth Amid Injuries
Injuries to key offensive linemen forced Detroit to shuffle personnel at the tackle position. Taylor Decker’s limited participation and Dan Skipper’s ankle injury pushed Jamarco Jones into first-team duty at left tackle, while newcomer Justin Herron worked at right tackle and performed well during 1-on-1 drills. Jones joined Christian Mahogany, Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge, and Penei Sewell on the first-string offensive line.
Second-team tackle Giovanni Manu lined up alongside guards Netane Muti and Kayode Awosika, with Trystan Colon at center and Mason Miller on the right tackle spot. Colby Sorsdal, meanwhile, maintained a solid showing, further boosting rotation depth for Detroit’s offensive front.
Offensive Flashes Amidst Lions’ 7-on-7 Drills
The Lions offense clicked well during 7-on-7 drills, highlighted by Jared Goff connecting on a touchdown pass to Kalif Raymond, who outpaced veteran cornerback DiCaprio Bootle. Goff also completed effective passes to tight end Sam LaPorta and wideout Jameson Williams, though Williams’ reception was broken up by D.J. Reed.
On the second-team offense, quarterback Hendon Hooker found rhythm early with completions to Sione Vaki and Jackson Meeks. He continued to distribute the ball effectively to Dominic Lovett and Jakobie Keeney-James, even showing mobility by scrambling to make a throw.
D.J. Reed Contains Jameson Williams’ Impact
Veteran cornerback D.J. Reed cemented his role as a shutdown defender during practice, consistently limiting Jameson Williams’ effectiveness. Despite Williams winning an initial 1-on-1 rep, Reed quickly rebounded by blanketing him multiple times in subsequent drills.
Reed forced incompletions during team sessions and was particularly effective in situational drills, stopping Williams on a third-down play and neutralizing a comeback route. His instincts and quickness belied his 5-foot-9 stature, proving a challenge Williams could not consistently overcome.
Hendon Hooker Reflects Critically on Previous Game Performance
Quarterback Hendon Hooker graded his performance against the Chargers harshly after throwing for 18 yards with one interception on 3-of-6 passing attempts. Hooker rated his showing as very low, emphasizing his dissatisfaction with how he controlled the huddle and executed plays.
A zero out of 10, Hooker confessed.
It wasn’t to my standards or the team’s standards on controlling the huddle and making plays.
—Hendon Hooker, Quarterback
Set to start in Friday’s preseason matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Hooker is determined to redeem himself by focusing on moving past mistakes quickly and motivating his teammates.
Just play the next play. Short-term memory and just continue to motivate my teammates,
he said.
That’s what I’m here to do, push my troops down the field and put the ball in the end zone.
—Hendon Hooker, Quarterback
Standout Efforts from Brian Branch and Tate Ratledge
Two prominent performers during team drills were safety Brian Branch and guard Tate Ratledge. Branch displayed versatility and physicality by disrupting run plays, including a notable stop against a jumbo offensive package. Meanwhile, Ratledge delivered a powerful block on standout defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, surprising the defender with his strength and technique.
The second-team defense also showcased promising performances, with linebacker Ahmed Hassanein recording a tackle for loss and applying pressure on Hooker that contributed to a forced incompletion.
Execution Under Pressure in Situational Play
During situational drills focused on converting first downs to manage the clock, the Lions showed flashes of promise. The first-team offense successfully moved the chains after a short play from Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs, followed by Jameson Williams breaking a tackle to extend a reception. Goff connected again with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who made a highlight reception in tight coverage from Amik Robertson.
However, the offense faced setbacks when Goff’s throw to Williams was incomplete against Robertson’s coverage, compounded by Tate Ratledge knocking over linebacker Derrick Barnes on the play. The second-team offense started with a run by Craig Reynolds but struggled as Brian Branch delivered a big hit on Shane Zylstra during a short pass. Hooker’s performance was inconsistent, ending with a poorly thrown ball into tight coverage intended for Zach Horton that ended the session.
The final play of practice saw the Lions’ leading offense convert a crucial third-and-4 with Goff’s screen pass to David Montgomery, bringing the session to an end.
Additional Notes from Lions Practice
Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa shared a personal achievement, noting he beat his father in golf for the first time over the weekend, shooting an 84 at TPC Michigan. Long snapper Hogan Hatten expressed satisfaction with the special teams’ coordination during practice and claimed to have the lowest golf handicap on the team at 4.2.
Looking ahead, the Lions announced their first night practice of training camp will take place Monday evening, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., offering new challenges and opportunities for improvement as the team continues preparing for the season.