The Detroit Lions' defense has looked noticeably improved in training camp this year. They've given the offense all they can handle at times and completely dominated the first joint practice against Miami last week. The defense had another strong practice Monday at the Meijer Performance Center.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff hasn't been shy in his praise of the defense when warranted this camp, and he thinks the work they get in every day at practice is making both units better.
What is it Goff's seen in this year's version of Detroit's defense? He probably has a better perspective than anyone since he's trying to beat them every day.
"Their communication has been so good," Goff said. "I think Jack 's (Campbell) done a great job at MIKE but when they got Alex (Anzalone) back, that veteran presence there, being able to communicate, and get everyone together on the same page.
"Obviously, the D-line is doing what they're doing and Hutch (Aidan Hutchinson) and (Marcus) Davenport is doing his thing."
Goff said he's been particularly impressed with the communication from the back seven between the linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties being on the same page and playing as one cohesive unit. There's been very few busted coverages in camp and the play of the secondary has been steady.
"It's really hard. They are doing a good job," Goff said. "It's a good challenge. I think that's where I'm at in my career, where our offense is at in our evolution, and we like that challenge. Make it hard and they do. They've certainly given us fits, and we try to give them fits when we can."
View photos from Day 15 of Detroit Lions training camp on Monday August 18, 2025.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) and Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Marcus Davenport (92) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen (8) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 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 Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 18, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
JOINT PRACTICE NO. 3
With only a week left of training camp it's hard not to start peeking around the corner to roster cut-down, the formation of the practice squad, and the preparation for Detroit's Week 1 NFC North showdown in Green Bay.
But there's still work to be done this week, and the fact that Houston is coming in Thursday for joint practice has head coach Dan Campbell focused on the now, even though he admitted it's hard not to look ahead to the regular season.
"I'm really fired up that we're going to get Houston to come in here," Campbell said. "It's only for one practice, but I mean those guys are - what DeMeco's (Ryans) done out there has been really impressive and I know this defense is, they're the real deal, the way they play, the way they practice, go about their business, they've got weaponry on offense, quarterback's a good player, you can go across the board. So, my point, I can't wait. That's perfect.
"That keeps me from jumping too far ahead. So, we've got this little batch left. I can't wait to get Houston here because it'll be great for us, we need the work and it'll make us better, I just know it will. So that's where we're at now, but I'm trying to keep my eyes there because I do want to look over the hill."
INJURY UPDATES
Rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein left Saturday's preseason game with a pectoral injury and according to Campbell, the sixth-round draft pick is going to be out for a while.
"It's a good question. I don't have that answer yet," Campbell said when asked if Hassanein could return sometime this season.
Safety Kerby Joseph hasn't practiced in a couple weeks due to a knee injury, but Campbell said he's hoping to have Joseph back on the field soon.
"Yeah, it's something he's been dealing with a little bit," Campbell said of Joseph. "So, he won't be out there today. We're hoping to get him back late in the week, that's the hope right now. We don't feel like it's a major problem, it's just something we're trying to manage right now and get it calmed down."
Cornerback Khalil Dorsey returned to the practice field Monday after beginning training camp on the PUP list.
"I needed this," Dorsey said after practice. "Because you don't want to go into a season not having any reps. I thought I was in shape and I did those reps (today) and I was like, 'Oh my goodness.'"
EXTRA POINTS
- The plan is for rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa to start getting more reps with Goff after proving himself on the second-team offense. We've seen that more and more the last week and at Monday's practice as well.
- The Lions will look to get rookie offensive lineman Tate Ratledge some reps at center. Veteran Graham Glasgow has settled into the starting role at center, and Ratledge at right guard, but if something were to happen to Glasgow the Lions want options.
