The Detroit Lions' big free agent signing, defensive tackle D.J. Reader, was on the field in a white No. 98 jersey for a portion of practice Thursday. Reader wore his jersey along with a cap, shorts and a black sleeve on his right leg as he went through various drills beside the field.
He was doing high knees, shuffles and other movement drills with trainers. Later, he worked on his release off the ball on the practice hill, sprinting up the hill after the ball was snapped. During one of the team portions, Reader stood with the defensive line on the sideline, talking to younger players.
Running back Zonovan Knight was also back on the field, after missing the past couple practices, but did similar work off to the side, including some sprints, and watched from behind the end zone during returning drills.
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Rookie running back Sione Vaki left practice midway through after he suffered an injury during 1-on-1 tackling drills when bringing down Jake Funk. The team said Vaki left with a shoulder injury and is currently being evaluated. Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez also briefly left drills holding his arm after filling the gap on a run; he later came back in with a brace that he removed before leaving the field.
Safety Brian Branch was a participant with full pads on for the first time in this training camp. He played safety next to Kerby Joseph and frequently walked down the field to join the box and sat out of the 1-on-1 tackling drills. Branch had surgery in the offseason and prior to Thursday, had been a limited participant.
Jermar Jefferson's strong day
Campbell said earlier in the week one of the position battles he was keeping an eye on was the battle for the third running back spot behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs and mentioned Jermar Jefferson and Craig Reynolds.
Jefferson had a strong day when the pads came back on Thursday. He excelled in the blocking drills that simulated free rushers into the backfield, showing his ability to move and stay square in front of an oncoming linebacker or defensive back coming off the edge, including a snap stopping Jalen Reeves-Maybin on the edge that earned a butt slap from special teams coordinator Dave Fipp and got running backs coach Scottie Montgomery off his feet celebrating.
In one-on-one passing drills, he beat linebacker Derrick Barnes with a choice route over the middle on his only attempt and caused issues for both Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu in tackling drills. Another standout in the tackling drills was new defensive back Carlton Davis III, who wrapped up wide receiver Daurice Fountain multiple times.
Hurry-up split between offense and defense
The Lions closed practice by working on late-game situations with little time on the clock. The first-string offense, led by Jared Goff, overcame an early false start to find the end zone against the defense. The offense moved up the field with short, quick routes to Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Fountain. Goff finished the series by stepping up in the pocket and firing a seed into a tight window in the back of the end zone to St. Brown, who toe-tapped and secured the catch.
The second-team offense, led by Nate Sudfeld, went three-and-out in their scenario after failing to convert on third and fourth down with five yards to go. Sudfeld's third-down throw was a pass low, and his fourth-down throw was a back shoulder attempt knocked away by Melifonwu.
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Toning up the tight ends
The tight ends did all kinds of different work on Thursday.
In individual drills, they worked on blocking a defensive back coming on a blitz.
Later, they worked on pass routes against a defender.
That’s the trick of the position. It requires so many different skill sets.
“Listen, it’s the best room that I’ve been around in 13 years now, from top to bottom, one to six,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “These guys, they’ve all played ball in this league, and you can tell it with their approach and really how they block, how they run routes out on the field, it’s been very impressive. So, that room, the competition is lights out right now.”
Clearly, the top two tight ends are Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
But who will be the third tight end?
“That spot needs to be able to wear a ton of hats,” Johnson said. “You got LaPorta with his skill set, you got Wright with his skill set, and that third spot needs to be smart enough to fill in either spot if need be, and so the versatility is at a premium. (Lions special teams coordinator Dave) Fipp certainly needs help there on special teams and so that plays a part also, but we need a smart player that can wear multiple hats. It’s a bonus if we can get some backfield work, if he can do some fullback-type jobs, or if he can split out wide, the more you can do increases your value right there.”
Puppies everywhere you turned
Most adorable thing at the Lions facility on Thursday?
It was pet adoption day, sponsored by Pet Supply Plus.
Scores of fans snuggled with puppies (including at least one sports columnist and one photographer from the Free Press).
But the most touching moment?
The Hutchinson family was cuddling a dog named Hutchinson.
Fireworks during individual drills
There were some fascinating showdowns during individual drills.
Jahmyr Gibbs beat Kerby Joseph with an ankle-breaking cut that had the crowd screaming like it was watching a fireworks display: “Oooohhh!”
But you have to give Joseph credit.
He made sure to line up against Gibbs for a chance at redemption.
When Joseph tackled Gibbs cleanly, the crowd was screaming again: “Oooohh!”
