Another Round of the Allen Park Hospital
The Detroit Lions wrapped up their organized team activities on Thursday with their ninth practice, which means we’re officially one step closer to training camp and approximately forty-seven steps closer to finding out whether this whole optimism thing was justified or just another case of Stockholm syndrome.
The injury report looked like a game of whack-a-mole at the Meijer Performance Center, with quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, guards, cornerbacks, and safeties all taking turns on the sideline. At this point, Brad Holmes might as well start scouting the team trainers because they’re getting more work than anyone in Honolulu Blue.
The Walking Wounded and the Mysteriously Absent
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was a no-show for unknown reasons, which at least gave undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer a chance to get some reps with the second and third-team offense. Unfortunately for him, Thursday’s practice featured only one full-speed drill, and that was reserved for the first-team offense. Nothing like getting thrown into the deep end of a kiddie pool.
Kendrick Law is technically still on the roster despite tearing his ACL last Tuesday, because apparently the Lions are waiting for the paperwork fairy to make it official. Tyler Conklin was also absent without explanation, adding another question mark to a tight end room that already has Sam LaPorta working in limited capacity.
Speaking of LaPorta, he’s been following the same routine as last week: show up for the walkthrough, disappear when the real work starts. At least he’s consistent.
The Cornerback Flu Ward
The cornerback room is apparently dealing with some kind of illness that’s making its rounds like bad gossip in a small town. Ennis Rakestraw and Rock Ya-Sin both missed practice because of it, and it’s unclear if that’s what kept Terrion Arnold on the sideline or if it’s the injury that’s been bothering him throughout the offseason program.
Dan Campbell offered some insight into the situation, noting that some absences are more precautionary than others. Ben Bartch has been missing the entire OTA program due to a foot sprain that cost him the final four games of the regular season. Campbell said he expects him back for training camp. At least someone’s being smart about not pushing through injuries in May.
The Brian Branch Situation
Brian Branch continues his recovery from an Achilles injury, and Campbell’s comments cast some doubt on whether he’ll be ready for training camp. The good news? He hasn’t suffered any setbacks. The bad news? He’s apparently begging coaches to let him participate in punt catching competitions, which is exactly the kind of competitive spirit that could turn a minor injury into a major problem if the coaching staff weren’t smart enough to shut it down.
Both Branch and Kerby Joseph were watching practice from the sideline on Thursday, which beats not being there at all but probably isn’t where either player wants to be heading into the summer.
Silver Linings Department
Miles Kitselman returned to practice after missing time last week and got some extra opportunities with both LaPorta and Conklin sidelined. It’s not exactly the way you want to earn reps, but in a league where opportunity comes in all forms, you take what you can get.
The Lions finished their OTA program with plenty of question marks heading into the mandatory minicamp, but at least they finished it. After everything this franchise has been through, that counts as a minor victory in the grand scheme of things.
Is this just typical offseason injury management or should we start stockpiling bubble wrap for training camp? Let us know what you think in the comments.
