The Detroit Lions completed Week 1 of OTAs on Friday afternoon with a practice just short of two hours long.
Prior to practice, coach Dan Campbell warned that “a lot of guys” won’t be practicing out of precaution, but when the players took the field, Detroit was nearly at full strength. Outside of the players he specifically pointed to being absent—tight end Sam LaPorta, cornerback Terrion Arnold, and safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph—there were only two players missing: tight end Zach Horton
and guard Ben Bartch.
Let’s break down the entire participation report—which remains unofficial at this point in the season. This is just based on my observations.
Did not practice:
- TE Zach Horton
- TE Sam LaPorta
- G Ben Bartch
- CB Terrion Arnold
- S Kerby Joseph
- S Brian Branch
It’s unclear what Horton is dealing with. Last year, he spent most of his rookie season on the Lions’ practice squad, although he did log three offensive and three special teams snaps in the team’s regular season finale against the Bears. His absence, along with LaPorta, left the tight end room a little short. Just four tight ends were repping on Friday: Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, Thomas Gordon, and Miles Kitselman.
Speaking of LaPorta, Campbell gave a promising update on the Pro Bowl tight end. While he remains sidelined due to back surgery last November, LaPorta has been involved in some on-field work this offseason.
“LaPorta has taken some walkthrough, jog-through, he’s done some of that, he’s not going to be out there today,” Campbell said. “But that’s not, listen, the most important thing is: continue to let them improve, rehab, all that. That’ll take precedence right now.”
The reasons for Bartch’s absence are also unknown at this point. Bartch could be part of the competition for the starting left guard job, but with him sidelined, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, and Miles Frazier all took reps at the position during walkthroughs on Friday.
Arnold’s absence, too, is a mystery at this point. Campbell let the media know before practice that he wouldn’t be there, but provided no details. The starting cornerbacks without Arnold in the lineup were D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin.
Campbell said that Joseph and Branch “are improving,” but provided no extra details. Joseph is dealing with a knee issue that has plagued him for nearly an entire year now, while Branch suffered a torn Achilles in December. Campbell said that missing time right now isn’t as important as getting healthy for both players.
“The most important thing is: continue to let them improve, rehab, all that,” Campbell said. “That’ll take precedence right now. So, they’re in meetings, they’re getting the mental side of this, and just take it day-to-day.”
It’s noteworthy, though, that Joseph was on the field in street clothes for the entirety of practice, helping distribute the ball for defensive back drills, and he was playing catch with an assistant on the sidelines as well.
With no Branch or Joseph, it was mostly Christian Izien and Chuck Clark at starting safety, although Avonte Maddox also subbed in.
