Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell held a shorter practice session after four days of padded work, opting to keep a significant group of players sidelined as a precautionary measure due to general roster bumps and bruises, according to team observations and statements from Campbell.
Roster Precautionary Holds and Notable Absences
The Lions held out a substantial portion of their players during Sunday’s workout. According to team reports, the group of players held from full team drills included wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, offensive tackle Penei Sewell, linebacker Jack Campbell, defensive tackles Alim McNeill and Levi Onwuzurike, and edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson and DJ Wonnum.
Campbell noted prior to the session that the roster was dealing with minor physical wear, prompting the coaching staff to rest several players. Aside from Jameson Williams, who logged limited team work, none of the players on this precautionary list participated in team drills, though all were present for walkthroughs and warmups.
Positive Updates on Gibbs, Conklin, and Reed
There was encouraging movement for several players managing previous setbacks. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, working through a back issue during a hold-in, and tight end Tyler Conklin, recovering from a calf injury, both saw team reps for the first time in training camp. Neither player carried a full workload, but both are positioned to be gradually integrated back into the mix.
Guard Ben Bartch also returned to limited team work. According to Campbell, Bartch has not suffered any physical setbacks, though his recovery has moved slower than initially anticipated. “I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t hopeful he would have been out there more than now, but I also know there’s no setbacks, anything like that and he’s a veteran guy,” Campbell said regarding Bartch’s progress.
Meanwhile, cornerback D.J. Reed has remained sidelined since Thursday with a groin injury. Campbell offered reassurance regarding his status, stating, “That’s not a major issue. We feel good about that. When he’s ready, he’ll be ready to go.”
Trainer Work and Injury Timelines
Several other players spent the session working alongside trainers instead of joining practice. Edge rusher Derrick Moore participated in on-field work while recovering from a groin injury. Moore’s return follows a projected seven-to-ten-day recovery timeline outlined by Campbell six days prior.
Defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, also managing a groin issue, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, sidelined with an ankle injury, have missed only a couple of practices, indicating minor severity. On the other end of the spectrum, edge rusher Payton Turner remains day-to-day with a back injury that has kept him out since the opening day of training camp, with Campbell confirming “nothing new really” regarding his recovery.
Did You Know?
Training camp workloads are frequently adjusted by coaching staffs following heavy blocks of padded practices to mitigate soft-tissue injuries across the roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Detroit Lions hold out so many players from practice?
Head coach Dan Campbell stated that the team was dealing with a collection of minor “bumps and bruises” following four days of padded practice, leading the coaching staff to hold players out as a precaution.
What is the status of running back Jahmyr Gibbs?
Jahmyr Gibbs returned to participate in team reps for the first time in training camp while managing a back issue, though he did not take on a full workload.
How long has cornerback D.J. Reed been sidelined?
D.J. Reed has been out since Thursday due to a groin injury, but Campbell indicated the team does not view the issue as major.
Is Payton Turner close to returning from his back injury?
Turner remains day-to-day with a back injury that has kept him out since the first day of training camp, with coaches noting that they are simply trying to get the injury to calm down.
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