Dominant defense: It was a pretty dominating performance for Detroit's defense overall Monday night as the Lions held a long and physical night practice at the Meijer Performance Center. The defense generated a ton of pressure on Detroit's quarterbacks in team periods and created a few turnovers as well from a Jack Campbell fumble recovery, Alex Anzalone interception and Amik Robertson interception. The defense has looked great all camp, but Monday was a particularly strong day.
Airing it out: The biggest play for the offense Monday night was in an early team period when quarterback Jared Goff aired one out deep down the middle of the field to wide reciever Kalif Raymond for a long touchdown. Goff threw the ball from his own 20-yard line and Raymond caught it at the opposite 20. It was 60 yards in the air right on the mark for Goff, who had a 105.7 passer rating last season on balls that traveled more than 21-plus yards in the air.
Coach's approval: Nothing makes assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery happier than watching one of his receivers make a big play in the run game. Rookie Isaac TeSlaa pancaked cornerback Nick Whiteside at the goal line to give David Montgomery a clear path into the end zone on a run. Scottie Montgomery sprinted onto the field to chest bump TeSlaa. It was the most animated he was all practice. TeSlaa has had a good start to camp.
Perfect fit: Veteran cornerback D.J. Reed looks to be a perfect fit in Kelvin Sheppard's defense. What's been most impressive about Reed is his man cover skills. He's been great in one-on-one reps with the receivers, running step-for-step with Jameson Williams multiple times to break up passes. Reed is fast and physical and that's a good combination for that position in this defense.
Closing speed: When All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph sees an opportunity to make a play it's like he's shot out of a cannon and closes so fast. He saw a chance for an interception in a team period Monday and broke on a Goff pass intended for tight end Sam LaPorta. Joseph didn't get the pick but he got his hand on the football to pop it up in the air where Anzalone was there to pick it off. Watching Joseph play center field and close on the football it's easy to see why he led the NFL with nine interceptions last season.
Climbing the depth chart: Keep an eye on rookie defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. out of Houston. He's gone from tryout player to getting some first-team reps along Detroit's defensive front. At 6-foot-5, 280 pounds he's lined up at just about every position along the defensive line during camp and has made his fair share of plays. Detroit loves versatile players and Cooper's versatility could ultimately land him a job on the on the initial 53-man roster out of camp.
View photos from Day 9 of Detroit Lions training camp on Sunday August 3, 2025.
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) and Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Trystan Colon (67) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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 Aug. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Grant Stuard (15) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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 Aug. 3, 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 Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Fans during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (17) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks (83) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback D.J. Reed (4) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Tyson Russell (35) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Malik Taylor (86) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 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 Aug. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jacob Saylors (48) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Erick Hallett (36) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 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. 3, 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. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center on Aug. 3, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Highlight plays:
- Jahmyr Gibbs was able to get the offense out of the shadow of their own end zone at the 2-yard line in a team period with a terrific cut to the left. He then turned on the speed to gain the corner for a 20-yard gain. Gibbs' vision and speed were on full display on that play.
- Robertson ended practice with a terrific over-the-shoulder interception in a late team period on a pass to Williams in the end zone on a 4th down play. It was a terrific play not only to track the ball and catch it but to get his feet inbounds too. The defense joined him in the end zone for a celebratory moment afterwards.
- LaPorta had a terrific leaping grab in the back of the end in a red zone period for a score. He went up, absorbed a hit, and was able to get his feet inbounds.
- Tyleik Williams and Aidan Hutchinson could be a real problem for opposing offensive lines when they line up next to each other. They had one rep where they pushed the left guard (Mahogany) and left tackle (Giovanni Manu) right back into Goff for the sack. Maybe a little bit of a debate about who got there first but it looked simultaneous to me.
Injury report: Defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (leg), wide receiver Dominic Lovett (abdomen) and tackle Jamarco Jones (ankle) all left practice Monday and did not return.
