The first time Tate Ratledge played center was in fall camp last year in his last season at Georgia. The Bulldogs had some injuries and they knew Ratledge was going to be the next man up if they needed him during the season so they trained him there.
Detroit's second-round pick in this year's NFL Draft has taken the majority of snaps in his first NFL training camp at center as the Lions look for a replacement for the retired Frank Ragnow. Ratledge took all his reps Thursday at right guard, but played mostly center the first three days of camp.
Everything happens a little bit faster at center, especially at the NFL level, and starting a play with one arm occupied while snapping the football has taken some getting used to. Ratledge said Thursday that the mental aspect of moving over to center has been the biggest adjustment so far.
"Definitely mental," he said when asked if the physical or mental adjustment has been harder. "To me, offensive line play is offensive line play. It's quicker (in the NFL), everything happens quicker, but the mental side of it is definitely the harder part. Getting everyone on the same page.
"I've came out here and competed. I think I've done a pretty good job for where I've been at in the past. It's about coming here and trying to better myself every day."
The Lions have been preparing for the possibility of Ragnow's retirement since the end of last season and drafted Ratledge and Miles Frazier (PUP) along the interior this offseason, along with knowing that veteran Graham Glasgow was coming back and has experience playing center.
Ratledge said his offseason consisted of diving into the playbook so he could transition pretty easily come camp. He feels like he's doing well with the adjustment and definitely feels more comfortable playing center now than he did in the spring.
He's a pretty confident player, even for a rookie, and that's a good trait to have for someone who's expected to have a big impact as a rookie.
"Tate, I thought has been doing a great job," quarterback Jared Goff said Thursday. "Graham was in there today and I've been comfortable with Graham for some time. So, whoever that ends up being, I'll be good with."
OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS
One of the big question marks entering camp was just just how things might be different offensively with John Morton taking over as coordinator.
"In every offense there's formation shifts, motions, routes, run plays, protections, cadences and ways you get in and out of the huddle," Goff said Thursday. "A lot of the stuff we're doing and those (seven) things I named is the same and some of it is different.
"It's hard to answer that question. What's different? What's different? What's different? Some of it is the exact same. Some of it is a little bit different. I'm not going to go into the inertia of what is different, but I think the transition from what we were doing last year to (Morton) is a lot lesser than you guys are making it seem with the questions I get every day. A lot of it is the same. There is some stuff that we are learning that is new and it's not that big of gap between those two."
Goff said it's been a great transition so far from Ben Johnson to Morton and he's having a lot of fun with it.
View photos from Day 3 of Detroit Lions training camp on Tuesday July 22, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (95) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James (80) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) and Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) and Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on July 22, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
EARLY IMPACT
The news broke late last week that Levi Onwuzurike would miss the entire 2025 season with a knee injury. The Lions aren't expecting Alim McNeill back until sometime in October or November as he continues to rehab a torn ACL suffered late last year.
That's left veteran D.J. Reader and rookie first-round pick Tyleik Williams to take the bulk of the first-team reps at defensive tackle in camp. Williams is making the adjustment to a quicker NFL game upfront.
"Of course, I've got to step up," Williams said after practice Thursday. "I got drafted where I got drafted for a reason. They obviously think I can play and help this team, and I just have to step up to the plate and do that. I'm ready for it."
Williams (6-3, 328) and Reader (6-3, 330) have terrific size inside and the Lions are hoping the two can also give them some juice as a pass rushers along the interior.
PRACTICE REPORT
Linebacker Derrick Barnes (hand) and second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold (leg) both left practice Thursday and did not return. Linebacker Alex Anzalone (hamstring), defensive tackle Roy Lopez (foot) and running back Sione Vaki (hamstring) sat out practice.
Cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver returned to practice off the Non-Football Injury list. Defensive tackle Brodric Martin (foot) also returned to practice after exiting Tuesday.
