Pride of Detroit
Observations from Day 3 of the Detroit Lions 2025 training camp include notes on Terrion Arnold, Keith Cooper, and Jacoby Keeny-James.
The Detroit Lions held their third day of 2025 training camp, and while they’re still in the acclimation process, the intensity gradually increased throughout the day’s practice. While that resulted in some really good football on the field, it also led to coach Dan Campbell sending the team a warning, and eventually needing to remove a player from the practice field.
Only a couple of new minor injuries to report after Day 3 of training camp, but Campbell disclosed the timeline for return on several players on injury lists at this morning's presser. For all the information, make sure to check out our Day 3 injury news and participation report.
The Lions opened practice with positional drills, rolled into 11-on-11s, and performed a head-to-head WR-DB battle. Next, they worked on punt return/coverage drills, followed by another set of 11s, and then one-on-one gunner vs. blocker special teams drills. As things progressed, it became apparent that the one-on-one competitions were gradually intensifying in nature. When the Lions began a third session of 11-on-11 drills, focusing on converting/stopping third-down and short-yardage situations, both sides of the ball were building up their physicality.
Halfway through the 20-minute drill, Campbell called a halt to the action in order to slow the growing intensity, and for the next seven minutes, things were tempered. Unfortunately, with around three minutes remaining in the drill, defensive back Morice Norris attacked a pass over the middle too aggressively, arriving slightly early and high, resulting in a collision. Campbell immediately shut down the drill and sent Norris to the locker room after not adhering to his warning.
With the Lions turning to their final special teams drill to close out the day, Kerby Joseph ran to Norris’ side to deliver some advice to the young player as he made his way off the field.
While there didn’t appear to be any ill intention from Norris, the Lions are not allowed to have contact during the acclimation process, and his eagerness to make a play forced Campbell’s decision-making. The Lions have Wednesday off, but they’ll return to the practice field on Thursday, and on Friday, they’ll wear pads—when a ramped-up intensity level will be welcomed.
In Monday’s observations, we discussed Hendon Hooker seizing the opportunity as QB2 and installing the things he’s been working on over the summer. Today, it was Kyle Allen's turn at QB2, and he had his sharpest day in Allen Park. Allen looked calmer in his decisions, and despite the defensive sending blitzes on a regular basis, he did a quality job of handling the pressure. For what it’s worth, despite being with the third team, Hooker continued to look good on Day 3. There wasn’t any regression during this shift, and he had another solid showing.
Having both backups deliver quality days...
