Back at Allen Park for Some Good Old-Fashioned Hope
The Lions wrapped up Week 1 of OTAs on Friday afternoon with a nearly two-hour practice at the Meijer Performance Center, and here’s the thing that should make Lions fans feel a certain way: the injury report was actually shorter than Dan Campbell made it sound.
Campbell warned beforehand that “a lot of guys” would be sitting out of precaution. But when the players took the field, Detroit was closer to full strength than expected. Outside of the four guys he specifically called out as absent, only two other players were missing from action.
That’s either solid injury management or we’re all about to learn some new creative ways to worry about this team. Let’s break down who was where.
The Sit-Out Squad
Six players didn’t practice: Sam LaPorta, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Zach Horton, and Ben Bartch. The first four were expected absences that Campbell telegraphed before practice. The last two? Mystery guests on the injury report.
LaPorta is still working back from back surgery he had last November. But here’s the encouraging part: Campbell said the Pro Bowl tight end has been doing some walkthrough and jog-through work this offseason. That’s progress, even if it’s the kind of slow progress that makes Lions fans check their pulse.
“The most important thing is: continue to let them improve, rehab, all that,” Campbell said. “That’ll take precedence right now.”
With LaPorta and Horton both out, the tight end room was running thin. Just four guys were getting reps: Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, Thomas Gordon, and Miles Kitselman.
The Safety Situation
Brian Branch is still rehabbing from that torn Achilles he suffered in December. Kerby Joseph is dealing with a knee issue that’s been nagging him for nearly a year now. Campbell said both players “are improving” but offered no timeline beyond taking it day-to-day.
Here’s what should give you some optimism though: Joseph was on the field in street clothes for the entire practice, helping with defensive back drills and playing catch with an assistant on the sidelines. That’s not a guy who’s completely shut down.
With the starting safety duo sidelined, Christian Izien and Chuck Clark were manning the positions, with Avonte Maddox rotating in. Not exactly the depth chart you want to see in September, but it’s May. Deep breaths.
Mysterious Absences
No word on what’s keeping Zach Horton or Ben Bartch away from practice. Bartch could be in the mix for the starting left guard job, but his absence opened up reps for Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, and Miles Frazier during walkthroughs.
Terrion Arnold’s absence is also unexplained beyond Campbell letting everyone know he wouldn’t be there. With Arnold out, D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin were the starting corners.
Look, this is May football. Half the league is held together with tape and prayer right now, and the Lions are no different. The encouraging part? Campbell seems to have this thing under control, and most of these absences sound more like smart precaution than crisis management.
Are we reading too much into a May practice report, or should we start practicing our disappointed face in the mirror now? Drop your take below.
