Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ Tuesday afternoon training camp practice.
● Let’s start with participation, which was headlined by the returns of tight end Sam LaPorta and Ben Bartch to the practice field.
It’s difficult for me to say LaPorta had a full workload after missing a few days with a hip injury, but he was on the field for multiple full-team segments during the padded practice.
Similarly, Bartch operated as the left guard with the second-team offense for the duration of practice. It didn’t take long to notice him as he got in front of a screen and delivered a monster block that put linebacker Devin White on his butt.
Not practicing were running backs Isiah Pacheco (knee) and Jabari Small (concussion), center Cade Mays (wrist), offensive linemen Michael Niese (lower body) and Miles Frazier, linebackers Jimmy Rolder (hamstring) and Damone Clark, safeties Thomas Harper and Dan Jackson, and defensive back Christian Izien.
Because of the absence of five safeties — when factoring in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on the physically unable to perform list — cornerback Nick Whiteside was shifted inside for the practice. Unfortunately, he ran into some injury trouble of his own — potentially just cramping — but he wasn’t able to finish the day.
There was a second injury during practice. Linebacker Trevor Nowaske pulled up lame with a potential knee injury during individual drills, heading inside after an extensive on-field medical exam with the training staff.
Of note, Nowaske did walk back to the locker room under his own power.
● Detroit added three players to the roster since their last practice, signing safety Jason Taylor, running back Roydell Williams and offensive lineman Gus Hartwig.
Taylor saw action with the second-team defense after Whiteside exited. A former Oklahoma State standout, he’s with his fourth NFL team since being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft. He was most recently with the Orlando Storm of the UFL.
Williams, the 5-foot-10, 214-pounder out of Florida State, via Alabama, had been in camp with the Colts as an undrafted rookie until last week.
Meanwhile, Hartwig was a three-year starting center for Purdue prior to being signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets last season. The 6-foot-5, 312-pounder provides needed insurance with Niese sidelined.
● Most of practice focused around 11-on-11 work. The team ran through quick series, changing quarterbacks every three or four snaps in the early going.