Skip to main content
Advertising

training-camp-news

Presented by

TIM AND MIKE: Training camp Day 17 observations

Injury updates: Defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr. came off the NFI list and was dressed for Thursday's joint practice with the Texans, but didn't do too much. He'll work himself back in the coming weeks. Wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. didn't make the trip to Houston. Head coach Matt Patricia said the team is trying to be smart with his reps leading into the third preseason week. Jones did miss time last year and this offseason with a knee injury. Wide receiver Danny Amendola made the trip to Houston, but is in the same boat as Jones. Patricia said he's trying to do his due diligence to make sure Jones and Amendola are ready to go when needed. – Tim Twentyman

Familiar face: Former Lions safety Glover Quin, who lives in the Houston area, was at joint practice Thursday. Quin played for both Houston and Detroit over his 10-year career. Quin is enjoying retired life, and said he enjoys getting up in the morning and not having anything to do but hang out with his family and his kids. – Tim Twentyman

Special plays: The Lions' coverage team made plays on two consecutive plays that would have forced the Texans to start possessions inside their five-yard line. Dee Virgin would have forced a fair catch on the first punt, and Mike Ford got in position to down a punt at the two on the next punt. – Mike O'Hara

Rocky day: It wasn't a smooth operation all the way around for the first-team offense Thursday. I thought Houston's defensive line was better most of the day, forcing a number of sacks, pressures and hurried throws that Texans defenders were able to get their hands on or intercept. It's still early to be overly concerned, but it wasn't a good showing on that side of the ball in the preseason opener, and they weren't great over the last couple days. – Tim Twentyman

Backup QB competition: Josh Johnson has come in and played pretty well over the last week after he was signed when Tom Savage suffered a concussion in the preseason opener. Johnson is a six-year vet, and it shows when he's out on the field with the second or third-team offense. He's looked better than David Fales in his short time with the team, and could potentially push Savage for the backup job whenever he returns to the field. – Tim Twentyman

J.J. Watt: The Texans' star defensive lineman made his presence felt throughout the two practices, but the Lions neutralized him on one play to get a nice completion to wide receiver Kenny Golladay. Watt was lined up wide left, outside a tight end. A combination block with tackle Rick Wagner gave quarterback Matthew Stafford time to get off a quick pass to Golladay. – Mike O'Hara

Just a little jawing: Watt beat Wagner in a team drill, and was credited for a sack on Stafford. Watt looked over to Patricia, who was watching from his ATV behind the offense, and said something to Patricia, who jawed right back at Watt as he walked back to his defensive huddle. – Tim Twentyman

View photos from Day 17 of Detroit Lions Training Camp presented by Rocket Mortgage.

Who was good Thursday?: Two players on Detroit's defense stood out to me. I thought outside linebacker Devon Kennard was really good. He dominated in 1-on-1s with the Texans o-line and made some nice plays in a couple team periods as well.

Defensive tackle Mitchell Loewen also caught my eye. He would have had a couple sacks in a team period, and was a load with the bull rush in 1-on-1s. He's been a nice surprise in camp. – Tim Twentyman

Who's the fastest?: Talking to reporters after practice, rookie running back Ty Johnson said he would win in a race between himself and cornerbacks Darius Slay and Jamal Agnew. Slay caught wind of the comment, and when asked who he thought would win, to no one's surprise said himself. Slay said that race just might have to happen between him and Johnson at some point. – Tim Twentyman

Campground: That's what the practice fields resembled after Thursday's practice. It was the last of the two joint practices, and the end of official training camp for both teams. Players, coaches and staff members lingered for a long time, shaking hands and taking pictures with family members. It's the brotherhood of sports, and a cool scene. – Mike O'Hara

Related Content

Advertising