O-line vs. D-line: I wandered over to an early one-on-one period between Houston's defensive line and Detroit's offensive line. Houston was fourth in the NFL last season with 49.0 sacks, so it was great work for Detroit's O-line. I had the Texans winning four of their first five matchups with Detroit's starters. Will Anderson Jr. had a nice inside rush to beat Penei Sewell. Anderson won both his reps against Sewell. Tate Ratledge won his first rep against Sheldon Rankins but Rankins got the better of him the second time.
Tag team: After the one-on-one portion of the drill the two lines did two-on-two combo blocks, and I thought Sewell and Ratledge did really well together. It's really shown over the last couple weeks just how much more comfortable Sewell and Ratledge are playing next to each other.
Game of inches: Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams got behind Texans defenders Derek Stingley Jr. and Calen Bullock for what looked like a long touchdown catch in the end zone to win a team period for Detroit's offense. It was right in front of the stands filled with Lions fans, but a replay of the catch showed Williams' toe touched the line trying to get his second foot inbounds. It was still good to see that deep connection between Williams and quarterback Jared Goff really ramp up over the last week.
Situational football I: The Lions' offense had the ball at their own 39-yard line trailing 23-20 with one minute and four seconds on the clock with two timeouts. Goff made completions to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (2), wide receiver Kalif Raymond and tight end Sam LaPorta to get the Lions down to the Houston 18-yard line with 14 seconds left. A couple incompletions from there led to a 35-yard Jake Bates field goal to tie the game and win the period for Detroit's offense.
Situational football II: Detroit's defense was given the same scenario with the three-point lead and a little more than a minute on the clock. They did a nice job limiting Houston's offense to some dink and dunk plays and a 56-yard field goal try that Ka'imi Fairbairn just got over the cross bar.
Third WR: We sometimes forget Raymond has caught 147 passes for 1,896 yards and seven touchdowns over the last four seasons for the Lions. Houston certainly noticed him Thursday. Raymond had a really nice practice with a couple touchdown catches from Goff in team periods, including one in the back of the end zone on a great route to give Goff a little space to make the completion.
Brick wall: Houston running back Nick Chubb is one of the more physical backs in the NFL. In a team period against Detroit's defense, Lions rookie defensive lineman Tyleik Williams beat his defender and was sitting right in the hole Chubb was trying to run through. Williams put two arms out to give Chubb a shove and push the veteran back two steps and right on his butt.
Kickoff fumble: Ball security is huge for this coaching staff, especially on special teams. The Lions have tried linebacker Grant Stuard out as a kick returner because they like his size, speed, and ability there. They've been teaching him the ball security part as they go. He fumbled the first kickoff return he had in the Hall of Fame Game a few weeks back. Thursday he fumbled another kickoff that was recovered by the Texans.
Star players: During a team red-zone period late in practice, Detroit's two biggest skill position stars showed why they're considered two of the best at their position. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a nice run to the right and followed it up with a terrific cutting run to the left to set the Lions up at the 3-yard in just two plays after starting at the 20-yard line. The next play was a pitch and catch from Goff to St. Brown for the touchdown.
Nice day for Anzalone: I thought veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone had a nice practice that showed off his vast skillset. He flushed Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud out of the pocket and made him throw a pass away on a blitz in a team period. Later he had a great diving breakup on a pass intended for wide receiver Justin Watson near the goal line. He also made some plays in the run game. Anzalone can do it all for a defense.
View photos from Day 16 of Detroit Lions training camp on Tuesday August 19, 2025.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) and Detroit Lions cornerback Nick Whiteside (38) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34), Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) and Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) and Detroit Lions edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James (80) and Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33), Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12), Detroit Lions quarterback Kyle Allen (8) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) and Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) and Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) and Detroit Lions cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (23) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15), Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (12) and Detroit Lions safety Ian Kennelly (27) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback DJ Miller (42) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) and Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) and Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 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. 19, 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. 19, 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. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 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 Aug. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 19, 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. 19, 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. 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Rookie receiver: The Lions likely have some tough decisions to make when it comes to formulating their receiver room to start the season. There could potentially be a scenario where they keep seven receivers. Rookie seventh-round pick Dominic Lovett is among those names who will be discussed, and Lovett had a nice practice Thursday. He made a couple big plays in the passing game. One big catch and run in a team period drew a high five from assistant head coach/receivers coach Scottie Montgomery. Lovett also had a nice kickoff return in a special teams period. He's someone to watch closely Saturday during Detroit's final preseason contest.
Michigan man: I thought Detroit's defense really got some good work in against a talented Houston offense. Houston had the edge early in practice and I thought Detroit's defense came on late, including a team period midway through practice where they forced a three-and-out by Houston's top offensive unit. Former University of Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins was solid all afternoon and looked like he enjoyed being back in the state of Michigan.
Bates report: Detroit's second-year kicker was right down the middle on three straight kicks from 51, 44 and 33 yards in a field goal kicking period.
Practice report: It was good seeing safety Kerby Joseph back on the practice field Thursday for joint practice with Houston. Joseph's been dealing with a knee injury that forced him to miss the last couple weeks. Center Graham Glasgow left practice to be evaluated for a lower leg injury and running back Sione Vaki also left practice with an undisclosed injury.
