D-line duo: It was great seeing Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport back on the field together and manning the edge of Detroit's defensive front. Davenport played only two games last year because of injury and Hutchinson was lost Week 6 to a broken leg. The Lions feel like that duo, along with Derrick Barnes and others, can have a huge impact on Detroit's pressure and sack numbers in 2025. Hutchinson looked particularly good Sunday in an unpadded practice to begin camp.
O-line order: Expect a lot of moving parts throughout training camp along Detroit's offensive line as they try to replace two starters along the interior. The first group with the first-team offense was Dan Skipper (LT), Christian Mahogany (LG), Tate Ratledge (C), Graham Glasgow (RG) and Penei Sewell (RT). Left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) started camp on the PUP list. Glasgow also worked in at center with the first-team. Players are expected to move all over as the coaches try to find the best five-man combination.
Fun drill: This is my 17th training camp covering the Lions and there's not a lot I haven't seen in terms of practice, but Detroit's defensive coaches threw a fun new drill into the mix that I've never seen. Five defenders started at the middle of the field doing up-downs and when the whistle blew, they had to sprint toward the sideline where four footballs were sitting spaced out.
The one player who was last to the footballs and didn't pick one up had to do more up-downs.
Big year: Third-year tight end Sam LaPorta had a terrific spring and picked up right where he left off in Sunday's practice. The first play of the first team period was a big completion over the middle from quarterback Jared Goff to LaPorta. I'm expecting a monster season from No. 87 in John Morton's offense.
Catch of day: Speaking of big plays in the pass game, the catch of the day was hauled in by veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick who went up and over slot cornerback Amik Robertson for a big catch down the right sideline. Patrick (6-5, 210) has a significant size advantage over Robertson (5-9, 183) and used it on this particular play.
Stepping right in: Detroit's first two draft picks back in April, Tyleik Williams and Ratledge, look to have big roles right out of the gate for the Lions. Ratledge was getting reps at center with the first-team offense and Williams was paired with DJ Reader at defensive tackle with the first-team defense. Veteran Alim McNeill isn't expected back until possibly November, so Williams could have a big early role for Detroit's defense.
View photos of players arriving for 2025 Detroit Lions training camp.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (39) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (6) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (9) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein (61) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions edge rusher Marcus Davenport (92) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Roy Lopez (51) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson (28) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (24) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) arrives at the Meijer Performance Center on July 19, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Backup quarterback: Today it was Kyle Allen taking reps with the second-team offense behind Goff. That will likely rotate every day, which has typically been the case for competing backup quarterbacks in Dan Campbell's tenure. It will be an interesting competition to watch throughout camp. Allen has made 19 career starts and has more touchdowns (26) than interceptions (21) over a seven-year career. Hendon Hooker has the better arm and ability to create plays with his legs.
Practice injury: Second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who left practice early, is being evaluated for a chest injury.
