The Detroit Lions opened up minicamp on Tuesday, but prior to taking the field, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell provided some injury/participation updates. Most notably, he gave a promising outlook for Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta, who has been recovering from back surgery. LaPorta has been part of walkthroughs/jog-throughs for most of the offseason program, but not much else. Campbell believes his rehab is on track and he’s trending toward being available for training camp.
“We like where he is
going, he is trending the right way,” Campbell said.
Let’s jump into the full injury report from Tuesday’s practice—which is unofficial and based on my own observations.
Not practicing
- WR Kendrick Law (ACL)
- TE Tyler Conklin
- G Ben Bartch (foot)
- CB Avonte Maddox (personal)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
- S Brian Branch (Achilles)
Law, Joseph, and Branch are all expected to miss the rest of the offseason program, and only Joseph appears to have a shot at practicing in training camp. As in previous practices, we did see Branch come out for the last half of practice to chop it up with teammates and help out where he could.
Last week, Campbell gave an update on Bartch, admitting that they’re holding him out for precautionary reasons. That said, when Bartch returns to the field, which is expected to be at training camp, he will jump into the left guard competition.
“There’s a reason why we brought in Bartch. There’s a reason why (Miles) Frazier is here,” Campell said. “[…] We’re going to let this thing go and see what happens.”
Maddox’s absence was not injury related. Campbell said it for was personal reasons.
Conklin was out during last week’s OTAs and now he is out for another week, suggesting this may be injury related. It’s unclear at this point what Conklin is dealing with, but it’s worth noting that Campbell did not point out any new, serious injuries with the team.
Limited
- TE Sam LaPorta (back)
LaPorta did his normal work during walkthroughs, and then spent a significant amount of practice sprinting and working out with a trainer to the side.
Back at practice
- QB Teddy Bridgewater
- CB Ennis Rakestraw (illness)
- CB Rock Ya-Sin (illness)
- CB Terrion Arnold (limited)
No explanation was given for Bridgwater’s absence last week, but he was back Tuesday. Rakestraw and Ya-Sin returned after missing last week with an illness. Those two split team reps as the first-team outside cornerbacks opposite D.J. Reed.
Arnold’s situation is similar to LaPorta. He participated in walkthroughs—on the second-team side of the field—but he also took part in some individual and positional drills. Eventually he left with a trainer, but very late in practice, Arnold did return to the field with his helmet on. At that point, it was too late to get in any team reps, though.
