Lions camp observations: Key starters held out, Hassanein fine after injury scare, and Whiteside caps practice with pick
Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ Sunday afternoon training camp practice.
● The roster was predictably missing several players after a bevy of padded practices earlier in the week.
Not participating were running backs Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki, wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, linebackers Damone Clark, Malcolm Rodriguez and Jimmy Rolder, cornerback DJ Reed, defensive tackles Aidan Keanaaina and Mekhi Wingo and edge defender Payton Turner.
Additionally, multiple top contributors were intentionally held out of full-team work on Sunday. That list included Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Penei Sewell, Jack Campbell and Sam LaPorta. If you’re formulating a list of guys who won’t play in the preseason opener, this is a strong starting point.
● On the injury front, Lions coach Dan Campbell said most of the newer absences are dealing with minor injuries, including Reed, who is battling a groin strain.
Turner, meanwhile, continues to be day-to-day with the back injury he suffered on the first day of camp.
In positive news, Ben Bartch expanded his workload on the road back from last year’s Lisfranc injury. The veteran lineman took part in a couple of one-on-one reps and also saw snaps with the second-team offense.
● The Lions added a couple of depth pieces to the roster ahead of practice signing cornerback Bump Cooper and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Cooper went undrafted out of Oregon State in 2024 and spent his rookie year with Baltimore, appearing in just one game. He was in camp with the New York Jets last year and most recently spent time with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL.
Ogbongbemiga, a Nigerian native who grew up in Calgary, went undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 2021. In five seasons with the Chargers and Bears, he’s racked up more than 1,400 special teams snaps.