The Detroit Lions were back in pads on Sunday, slowly ramping things back up in their 13th training camp practice of the 2026 preseason.
A couple of unexpected absences popped up at Sunday’s practice, but we also saw some injured players return, like Juice Scruggs and Derrick Moore. The pair took to the field in pads for the first time as they continue to
build back up after soft-tissue injuries.Juice Scruggs and Tate Ratledge split reps at center; IOL shuffle
Because this was Scruggs’ first practice in pads, the Lions appear like they want to keep his acclimation
tempered a bit. He started most “team” series—save the final few—but at the halfway point, Scruggs went to the sidelines. That decision let the offensive line adjust its interior combination and test other options.
When Scruggs exited, Tate Ratledge stepped in at center with Christian Mahogany shifting from left to right guard to accommodate for Ben Bartch at left guard. With this combination, they could see where Ratledge is at in his development at center, make room for Bartch to get reps with the first team, and give Mahogany some looks from the right side.
The difference between the two combinations was drastic. When Scruggs was at center, the offensive line looked solid, but when they shifted to Ratledge inside, they appeared more vulnerable to blitzes, and Ratledge botched at least two snaps. While the second combination arguably puts the Lions’ five most talented linemen on the field at the same time, the cohesion was clearly absent, illustrating how important it is to find the “right” combination and “fit.”
Jahmyr Gibbs’ dynamic in passing game
Gibbs has shown off his running skills since returning to the field after his holdout, but on Sunday, his pass-catching prowess was on display. During one-on-ones, Gibbs worked in with the wide receivers, and then found himself on the positive end of several catches on the day.
His best came during the first offensive rep of an “unscripted” series, when he ran a wheel route against Derrick Barnes for an easy 20+ yard touchdown. Once Gibbs got the angle on Barnes, he cleared him in an instant and then his speed took over, presenting a large target for Jared Goff to drop the pass into.
This part of Gibbs’ game looks like it will be a weapon for offensive coordinator Drew Petzing this season.
Tay Martin continues to show up in multiple ways
In the battle amongst the reserves, Tay Martin continues to make a name for himself.
“Tay Martin showed up again, blocking, made a one-on-one catch, separated, special teams,” coach Dan Campbell said of Martin’s performance against the Bengals last Thursday. “He forced a penalty, and that was just one play on special teams. He made more than that.”
On Sunday, with Jameson Williams absent, Martin and Tom Kennedy rotated in JAMO’s spot with the first team. When the kick coverage units took the field, Martin was once again with the special teams starters, and then on punt coverage, Martin was part of the top four at the gunner position, working with Keith Abney on the second unit.
“It was great to get out there with the ones,” Martin said after practice. “To get a chance to go against the ‘one’ defense, get some reps with Jared, it’s a great opportunity for me.”
When the conversation turned to special teams, Martin noted that his experience playing defensive back has given him an advanatge—similar to what we see with Sione Vaki.
“My whole life I played DB, safety and corner,” Martin continued. “So that gave me a physical edge because on ’teams,’ you’ve got to be physical. Each play is about who wants it more. You need a whole lot of effort to be where you need to be.”
Aidan Hutchinson dominates, Derrick Moore shows range
We don’t always talk about the superstars in observations because the best players in this league typically don’t surprise; they just play great every day. However, today was an exceptional day for Hutchinson, even by his standards.
Hutchinson opened the 11-on-11 drills with two sacks in the first three plays. On the second, he collapsed the left side of the line, driving his blocker (not sure if it was Penei Sewell because of my angle of the play, but it would make sense based on where Hutchinson lined up) all the way back to Goff, creating a massive pileup of bodies that drew a big reaction from the crowd.
Hutchinson continued to be disruptive when matching up against Blake Miller, routinely forcing the rookie to work at every step. Eventually, Hutchinson would get his third sack of the day, putting an end to the first-team final series of practice.
While Hutchinson had a monster day, fellow edge rusher Derrick Moore showed well in his first padded practice in the NFL. While he didn’t register a sack, he did find ways to create pressure from the rush end position. But even more impressive was when the Lions shifted Moore to a stand-up, pass-rushing linebacker role, which allowed him the range to roam and threaten interior gaps. It’s a new wrinkle for the rookie, but also something we suggested the Lions might consider given his college tape at Michigan.
Linebacker blitzes resulting in pressures
Speaking of linebackers, we saw a lot of variance from them in this practice. Beyond shifting Moore to linebacker for a few reps, we also saw dual SAM linebackers, double A-Gap blitzes, and pressure throughout the day.
Derrick Barnes took advantage of Ratledge’s first rep at center, forcing a quick pressure with an A-Gap blitz. Later, he got another pressure during red zone drills. Erick Hunter also found a lot of daylight when he blitzed the A-Gap and was in clean for a sack.
Then, in the final drill of the day, the Lions sent a lot of pressure at Luke Altmyer, and while Sione Vaki consistently picked up the blitzing linebacker, it opened up windows for the edge rushers to get home.
NB competition down to Christian Izien and Keith Abney
The Lions have seen as many as four players taking first-team reps at nickel corner throughout camp, but over the past week, the competition looks to be narrowing down to Christian Izien and rookie Keith Abney. On Sunday, both rotated through reps with the starters, while Ennis Rakestraw and Roger McCreary have only been taking reps at outside cornerback.
This competition is far from over, and both look in great spots to make the 53-man roster, but the Lions appear to be keeping their options wide open in this position battle.
Quick hitters:
- TeSlaa continues to work through a rough patch, but on a fourth-down play during an “unscripted” series for the first team, Jared Goff delivered a 24-yard jump ball for him in the end zone, and TeSlaa elevated over Ennsis Rakestraw and Thomas Harper for a wonderful contested touchdown catch.
- Priestly continues to get emergency reps in OL/DL run drills and made two notable plays that opened big holes, one alongside Mahogany and another on a pull.
- Skyler Gill-Howard and Ahmed Hassanein continue their momentum from the preseason. Both stood out in “run fits” drills, and then combined for a pressure/sack during 11’s. By the end of practice, each got some rotational work with the first team.
- Ben Stille has a tough path to make the 53-man roster, but he routinely makes plays (including pressures and sacks) in practice, and it feels like it may only be a matter of time before he gets more reps.
- Greg Dortch made a veteran returner play during special teams drills, fielding a kick near the sidelines, but making sure to put his foot out of bounds before catching the ball, which would have resulted in the offense getting the ball on the 40-yard line.
- Anthony Lucas closed out the day with a bang. In the final unscripted series for the second team, Lucas registered two pressures and a sack in a wildly impressive performance.
