Minicamp observations: Lions' pick-happy defense snags three interceptions and should have had two more
Allen Park — Here are notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ Tuesday mandatory minicamp practice.
● The participation for the opening day of minicamp was strong. The usual suspects — safety Kerby Joseph (knee), defensive back Brian Branch (Achilles), guard Ben Bartch (foot) and rookie receiver Kendrick Law (knee) — remained sidelined with their injuries.
Also absent were tight end Tyler Conklin, who exited an OTA practice last week with an unknown injury, and defensive back Avonte Maddox. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Maddox was out due to personal reasons.
Cornerbacks Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw and Rock Ya-Sin were back at practice after missing time last week with an illness that hit the defensive back room.
● Without question, the story of the day was an interception-happy defense, which picked off three passes and realistically should have had two more.
Rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder started the parade of turnovers during a full-team period, dropping back into quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's passing lane on an attempted post to make a leaping, full-extension grab. Had it been a game, the defender had enough green in front of him that he potentially houses the takeaway for six.