Pride of Detroit
The Detroit Lions took practice indoors on Monday, as they kicked off the final week of 2025 training camp. It was a shorter practice in shells, but the team is likely ramping up for Thursday’s joint practice with the Houston Texans.
Despite a shortened practice, the Lions still got plenty of team work in, and it was another strong day from the Lions’ defense. Today’s observations are going to be focused a bit on the defense, because I thought each level of that side of the ball thrived.
Before we get into it, you can catch up on the participation report with our daily injury updates post here.
Aidan Hutchinson got the better of Penei Sewell with a complicated half-spin move during one-on-ones, and he gave the full offensive line a handful during team drills. Hutchinson was particularly disruptive on a couple of reps where he slid inside just before the snap. His timing was impeccable, making it tough for the offensive line to adjust.
It was also a strong day for Williams. He split his one-on-ones, but in team drills, I had him down for a sack and a tackle for loss. While Williams has shined early as a double-team eater and strong run defender, we’re starting to see some disruption and penetration to his game.
The Lions have not been shy about sending extra pass rushers in the past, and it seems like it has ramped up under new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. On Monday, those extra defenders were giving the offensive line some trouble, particularly when it came to the athletic Jack Campbell. I had him marked for two sacks on the day, and Derrick Barnes also flashed in the backfield on one occasion.
This is a good test for the newly-formed offensive line, and it’s also promising for Detroit’s pass rush come 2025.
After a week where Amon-Ra St. Brown looked uncoverable against the Miami Dolphins, it was fascinating to watch him have to fight for every rep. While St. Brown still got his every now and then, there was at least one occasion in which the Lions logged a pass breakup against him (D.J. Reed).
In particular, Terrion Arnold had a very strong day with two notable coverage snaps. On the first, Isaac TeSlaa was briefly with the first-team offense, and Goff tried to hit him with a deep shot. Arnold was with him stride-for-stride, so if the ball hadn’t been overthrown, Arnold would’ve been in the right spot to make a play. On the second, during the final situational drill, Arnold prevented a touchdown with a nice play on the ball by elevating and knocking it away from Williams.
