Allen Park — Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell met with the media Wednesday afternoon. Here are the noteworthy elements from that session.
Content with roster after deadline
The Lions didn’t make a move on Tuesday, ahead of the league’s 4 p.m. trade deadline. Campbell said the team weighed its options, but nothing worked out.
And he’s OK with that.
"Yeah, I feel good,” Campbell said. “We love our guys, man. I love our guys and these guys are competitive. There’s been constant improvement, consistent improvement. And we’re pretty good with depth right now. And so I think we’re in a good spot here. As long as these guys just keep improving, keep trying to correct all the little things, and we keep gaining confidence and finding ways to win. That’s what it’s about.”
Campbell said he didn’t feel any type of way about some of the NFC’s other contenders loading up at the deadline, including Chicago swinging the year’s biggest deal, sending a pair of first-round picks to Tennessee for All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.
Campbell noted that the Lions weighed all the variables at the deadline, including the uncertainty surrounding safety Kerby Joseph and linebacker Jack Campbell.
That was one of the reasons, the team shipped a sixth-round pick to the New York Jets for veteran safety Andre Cisco on Monday.
“It’s good to see where Kerby’s at right now,” Campbell said. “We’re going into another week here of him (practicing). We’re about to get a couple of days of work, two or three days of work, football work with him. No setbacks, that’s a good thing. But we have got to be mindful, we may need depth here. And so that one has been on our mind.”
Regarding Jack Campbell, the coach said he continues to feel good about the linebacker room, but there are ongoing considerations to weigh with backfilling the special teams reps that have been reduced from Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes and Trevor Nowaske’s plates.
Incoming debut
The Lions aren’t planning on wasting much time getting Cisco into the mix.
“We would like to get him going ASAP,” Campbell said. “He’s obviously going out to Germany with (the team). Our plan is to get him going in this game and let him help us a little bit. How much, that’s not quite there yet, but we do have a plan for him to help us.”
If Cisco acclimates quickly — and there’s reason to believe he should, having played in a similar scheme under former Lions coordinator Aaron Glenn in New York — he could even see some defensive reps in his first appearance with the Lions.
Regardless, he should help on special teams, similar to the way K.J. Britt did days after the Lions signed him last week.
Back on track
Days after he was yanked from the starting lineup for a repeat violation of an undisclosed team rule, left guard Christian Mahogany is tracking toward regaining his job this Sunday.
Earlier in the week, Campbell said the ball was in Mahogany’s court, regarding what he needed to do to make amends for his transgressions. On Wednesday, Campbell acknowledged Mahogany would practice with the first unit, strongly suggesting he’ll be back with the group against the Patriots.
“Yeah, for sure he’s got a chance,” Campbell said. “He was good this morning.”
Injuries
Campbell noted that defensive end DJ Wonnum is progressing through the league’s return-to-play protocol and should be able to return to action after missing last week’s game with a concussion, barring an unforeseen setback.
“He’s cleared his first obstacle, second obstacle here,” Campbell said. “He’s going to be able to practice today. As long as he gets through practice, he should be good to go. So that’s encouraging.”
There’s far less optimism regarding cornerback DJ Reed and center Cade Mays’ availability against the Patriots. Reed (hip) and Mays (ankle), both suffered injuries in the team’s Week 7 victory over Minnesota.
“They have got a way outside shot of playing (against the Patriots), a way, way, way outside shot,” Campbell said.
Getting battle tested
There’s no sugarcoating things: This is a brutal stretch for the Lions. They’re coming off a road game in Miami, head to Germany for the matchup against the Patriots later in the week, return to play an improving Buccaneers squad that will be well-rested coming off their bye, before hosting division-leading Chicago on a short week for the Thanksgiving classic.
We should have a good idea about Detroit’s chances to claim the NFC North following the stretch. Regardless, this will go a long way toward hardening them for a potential playoff run in January.
“I think that is exactly what it is,” Campbell said. “It does help you. I think it just continues to build the character of your team, the type of team you want to have as you go through this. And everything that you are able to overcome makes you stronger.
“…It’s a good thing to be tested during the season,” Campbell continued. “It really is. And to have to go through some of these tough stretches because that’s what the playoffs are. That’s what it is. And certainly if you’ve got to go on the road. So, that’s what this is. This is about us. This is the next obstacle we have. I told the team, ‘We’re not going to clear it. Our objective is to go through it.’ That’s the mindset.”
You know, it’s really interesting, this thing with Mahogany. Three games ago I was watching an instant replay of an offensive play and my eyes caught the body language of an uninvolved player that looked like he was loafing - I I said who the F is that? He turned and it was Mahogany.
I talked myself out of that interpretation as misguided. A week later he’s demoted. Justin, am I crazy to think not hustling (disrespecting your teammates) is the issue?
If mays and Reed can't go, you'd think they would know before leaving. In that case do they stay home and avoid the travel