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The Detroit Lions wrapped up another day of training camp Thursday as the second week of camp is coming to a close, and the biggest storyline was the return of running back Jahmyr Gibbs to the practice field.
Gibbs suited up in pads after previously attending practices without participating while awaiting a new contract. Although he did not take part in team drills, he worked through individual exercises with a trainer on the sideline.
That brief holdout is now officially over.
The Lions signed Gibbs to a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension that could be worth up to $75.75 million. The deal includes $51.5 million in guaranteed money and makes the three-time Pro Bowler the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
The extension is well deserved, and Lions fans won’t have to wait much longer to see Gibbs fully back on the field. His return comes at an important time as Detroit continues installing a new offense under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Gibbs will join the Lions for Fridays practice for the first time this season.
Lions hire new president and CEO
Off the field, the Lions officially announced Richard Haddad as the organization’s new president and CEO.
Haddad spent the past 14 years with Pistons Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons, where he most recently served as chief operating officer and team president/CEO. He will join the Lions in early September and oversee both football and business operations.
He replaces Rod Wood, who retired in February after serving as the Lions’ president for 11 seasons.
Jared Goff lands on NFL Top 100
In other team news, quarterback Jared Goff checked in at No. 33 on the NFL Top 100 Players list, an annual ranking voted on by NFL players.
Injury updates
The Lions also made a roster move after undrafted rookie tight end Miles Kitselman suffered an injury earlier this week. Detroit placed Kitselman on the Reserve/Injured list and signed wide receiver Tarik Black, who was previously waived on Monday.
There was positive news elsewhere, as tight end Tyler Conklin and guard Ben Bartch both returned to practice.
Safety Brian Branch remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but he continues making steady progress. Branch spent more than an hour working with a trainer during individual drills and remained on the field throughout practice interacting with teammates. He is still expected to return sometime in late August or early September.
Detroit was without several players during Thursday’s practice:
* QB Teddy Bridgewater (undisclosed)
* RB Isaiah Pacheco (undisclosed)
* RB Sione Vaki (eye, broken nose)
* OT Giovanni Manu (NFI)
* G Juice Scruggs (undisclosed)
* EDGE Derrick Moore (groin)
* EDGE Payton Turner (back)
* LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle)
* LB Jimmy Rolder (leg)
* CB D.J. Reed (undisclosed)
* S Kerby Joseph (PUP, knee)
There was no immediate update on Scruggs’ absence. With Scruggs sidelined and Bartch still limited, Christian Mahogany handled the first-team reps at left guard throughout practice. Michael Niese filled in as the backup center.
With Reed unavailable, Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside primarily worked as the starting outside cornerbacks, while Ennis Rakestraw saw an increased workload in the nickel.
Three Lions exited practice before it concluded:
* EDGE Tyler Lacy (undisclosed)
* DT Mekhi Wingo (groin)
* CB De’Shawn Rucker (ankle)
There was no update on Lacy’s status. However, several reporters speculated his early exit may have been related to the hot and humid conditions rather than a significant injury.
With Wingo sidelined, rookie Skyler Gill-Howard received additional work at three-technique, taking snaps with both the first- and second-team defenses. Levi Onwuzurike also rotated into the position throughout practice.
Rucker appeared to suffer his injury during the 7-on-7 red-zone period. The severity of the injury was not immediately known.
As training camp continues, Detroit appears to be getting healthier overall. With Gibbs’ contract finalized, Conklin and Bartch back on the practice field, and Branch continuing to make encouraging progress, the Lions are trending in the right direction despite a handful of injuries that continue to test the roster’s depth.
Continue reading...
Gibbs suited up in pads after previously attending practices without participating while awaiting a new contract. Although he did not take part in team drills, he worked through individual exercises with a trainer on the sideline.
That brief holdout is now officially over.
The Lions signed Gibbs to a three-year, $67.5 million contract extension that could be worth up to $75.75 million. The deal includes $51.5 million in guaranteed money and makes the three-time Pro Bowler the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
The extension is well deserved, and Lions fans won’t have to wait much longer to see Gibbs fully back on the field. His return comes at an important time as Detroit continues installing a new offense under offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Gibbs will join the Lions for Fridays practice for the first time this season.
Lions hire new president and CEO
Off the field, the Lions officially announced Richard Haddad as the organization’s new president and CEO.
Haddad spent the past 14 years with Pistons Sports & Entertainment and the Detroit Pistons, where he most recently served as chief operating officer and team president/CEO. He will join the Lions in early September and oversee both football and business operations.
He replaces Rod Wood, who retired in February after serving as the Lions’ president for 11 seasons.
Jared Goff lands on NFL Top 100
In other team news, quarterback Jared Goff checked in at No. 33 on the NFL Top 100 Players list, an annual ranking voted on by NFL players.
Injury updates
The Lions also made a roster move after undrafted rookie tight end Miles Kitselman suffered an injury earlier this week. Detroit placed Kitselman on the Reserve/Injured list and signed wide receiver Tarik Black, who was previously waived on Monday.
There was positive news elsewhere, as tight end Tyler Conklin and guard Ben Bartch both returned to practice.
Safety Brian Branch remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but he continues making steady progress. Branch spent more than an hour working with a trainer during individual drills and remained on the field throughout practice interacting with teammates. He is still expected to return sometime in late August or early September.
Detroit was without several players during Thursday’s practice:
* QB Teddy Bridgewater (undisclosed)
* RB Isaiah Pacheco (undisclosed)
* RB Sione Vaki (eye, broken nose)
* OT Giovanni Manu (NFI)
* G Juice Scruggs (undisclosed)
* EDGE Derrick Moore (groin)
* EDGE Payton Turner (back)
* LB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle)
* LB Jimmy Rolder (leg)
* CB D.J. Reed (undisclosed)
* S Kerby Joseph (PUP, knee)
There was no immediate update on Scruggs’ absence. With Scruggs sidelined and Bartch still limited, Christian Mahogany handled the first-team reps at left guard throughout practice. Michael Niese filled in as the backup center.
With Reed unavailable, Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside primarily worked as the starting outside cornerbacks, while Ennis Rakestraw saw an increased workload in the nickel.
Three Lions exited practice before it concluded:
* EDGE Tyler Lacy (undisclosed)
* DT Mekhi Wingo (groin)
* CB De’Shawn Rucker (ankle)
There was no update on Lacy’s status. However, several reporters speculated his early exit may have been related to the hot and humid conditions rather than a significant injury.
With Wingo sidelined, rookie Skyler Gill-Howard received additional work at three-technique, taking snaps with both the first- and second-team defenses. Levi Onwuzurike also rotated into the position throughout practice.
Rucker appeared to suffer his injury during the 7-on-7 red-zone period. The severity of the injury was not immediately known.
As training camp continues, Detroit appears to be getting healthier overall. With Gibbs’ contract finalized, Conklin and Bartch back on the practice field, and Branch continuing to make encouraging progress, the Lions are trending in the right direction despite a handful of injuries that continue to test the roster’s depth.
Continue reading...
