Lions camp observations: Defense starts hot in scrimmage work, backup QBs pick offense up late
Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ Tuesday morning training camp practice, conducted outdoors in a light but steady rain.
● As always, let’s start with a participation report.
Not practicing: Safety Kerby Joseph (knee), safety Morice Norris (concussion), wide receiver Malik Taylor, defensive tackle Brodric Martin, offensive lineman Trystan Colon (center) and defensive end Ahmed Hassanein (pec).
Returning to practice was tight end Sam Laporta, who missed the past two days of camp with an undisclosed injury. Additionally, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo was activated off the physically unable to perform list. Not surprisingly, given the long layoff, he was limited to individual drills his first day back.
Encouragingly, Norris was running on the side under the supervision of a trainer, implying he’s slowly progressing through the return-to-play protocol after being taken off the field by ambulance during the team's second preseason game.
There were no major injuries during the long, physical, padded practice. Safety Brian Branch was in and out of the lineup in the back half of practice for precautionary reasons. Meanwhile, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had to get the thumb on his right hand taped after taking a ball awkwardly off it during individual drills.
● In terms of one-on-ones, I focused on a position mathcup I haven’t watched all camp: The linebackers and box safeties going toe-to-toe with the running backs and tight ends.