Lions camp observations: Hutchinson-led defense dominates padded scrimmage
Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ Friday morning training camp practice.
● Holding a fourth padded practice in five days — a demanding physical stretch for the players that is designed to get them battle-tested for the upcoming season — Detroit spent the duration of Friday’s nearly two-hour session conducting a full-team scrimmage.
We’ll go through that, blow-by-blow, but first, let’s look at participation.
Beyond the trio of players — Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph and Giovanni Manu — who are officially on injured lists, the Lions were without quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, running backs Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, cornerback DJ Reed, linebackers Malcolm Rodriguez and Jimmy Rolder, defensive tackles Aidan Keanaaina and Mekhi Wingo and edge Payton Turner.
Coach Dan Campbell hasn’t talked since Tuesday, and isn’t scheduled to meet with local media until Sunday afternoon, so we’re likely to remain in the dark regarding the reasons for some of those absences, namely Bridgewater, Pacheco and Reed.
● OK, onto the meat and potatoes of the day.