Back to Work at Allen Park
The Detroit Lions wrapped up their first week of OTAs at the Meijer Performance Center, and despite Dan Campbell’s warning that “a lot of guys” wouldn’t be practicing out of precaution, the roster looked surprisingly healthy. Nearly at full strength, actually.
The notable absences? The ones Campbell flagged beforehand plus two surprises. Sam LaPorta, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph were expected to sit. Guard Ben Bartch and tight end Zach Horton were not.
Who Didn’t Practice
Six players sat out Friday’s session. LaPorta continues his recovery from back surgery last November, but Campbell offered some encouraging news on that front.
“LaPorta has taken some walkthrough, jog-through, he’s done some of that,” Campbell said. “But that’s not, listen, the most important thing is: continue to let them improve, rehab, all that. That’ll take precedence right now.”
Translation: they’re not rushing him back, but he’s progressing. Good.
Horton’s absence is a mystery at this point. The young tight end spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad before logging three offensive and three special teams snaps in the regular season finale against the Bears. With him and LaPorta sidelined, the tight end room was thin. Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, Thomas Gordon, and Miles Kitselman handled the workload.
Safety and Secondary Updates
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain works in progress. Branch is working back from a torn Achilles suffered in December, while Joseph continues dealing with a knee issue that’s been nagging him for nearly a full year now.
Campbell kept the updates brief but positive. “They’re improving,” he said, adding that missing time now matters less than getting healthy. Both players are in meetings, getting the mental reps while their bodies catch up.
Joseph was on the field in street clothes for the entire practice, helping with drills and playing catch on the sidelines. That’s something.
With the starting safeties sidelined, Christian Izien and Chuck Clark took most of the first-team reps. Avonte Maddox also rotated in.
The Mysteries
Ben Bartch’s absence is unexplained at this point. The guard could factor into the competition for the starting left guard spot, but with him out, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, and Miles Frazier all got looks during walkthroughs.
Terrion Arnold’s absence is equally cryptic. Campbell mentioned before practice that the cornerback wouldn’t be there but offered no details. D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin handled the starting corner spots in his place.
Look, it’s May. Bodies are still healing from a long season, and Campbell’s approach has always been to play it safe when the games don’t matter. The fact that the roster is mostly healthy and the absences seem precautionary rather than catastrophic? That’s about as good as you can hope for at this point in the year.
Are you buying Campbell’s cautious optimism about the injury updates, or does a year-long knee issue and December Achilles tear have you nervous about September? Let me know what you’re thinking below.
