DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are back at it this week as training camp gets underway, and that means we get to hear from Dan Campbell.
Campbell spoke Monday morning about injuries, offensive line turnover, and recent comments from David Montgomery.
Here are six takeaways:
Ennis Rakestraw injury
Second-year cornerback had to leave practice over the weekend due to an injury, but Campbell doesn’t seem to be overly concerned.
“Should be OK,” Campbell said. “Everything came back negative. Certainly, he’s sore. He’ll be out a few days just to let him recover. But structurally, everything looks pretty good.”
Offensive line starters
Campbell was asked about the process of determining the five starters on the offensive line this season.
The Lions have had some turnover in that group this offseason after several years of stability. Veteran guard Kevin Zeitler left in free agency and star center Frank Ragnow retired.
Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow are also coming off seasons that didn’t quite live up to their previous standards.
“I think these first 10 days are going to tell us a lot,” Campbell said. “By the time we get to the Hall of Fame Game. At least in one area. Then we’ve got to make a decision there. Then the competition is still open at that point.”
The Lions will be working out multiple options at guard, and Campbell said rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge is getting a look at center.
Campbell said if Ratledge doesn’t earn the starting spot at center, Glasgow can slide in there.
“He’s dependable,” Campbell said of Glasgow. “He’s a savvy vet. He’s played a lot of football. He understands angles, he’s smart, he knows the game.”
Kingsley Eguakun is another player who was mentioned as an option on the interior.
‘Year of reckoning’
Montgomery began training camp by calling this a “year of reckoning” for the Lions. He believes this is the season for the Lions to turn their potential into an actual trip to the Super Bowl.
When Campbell was asked about those comments, he
“This is one of the things that I’ve talked about in the meeting the other day,” Campbell said. “It’s just, I think if we keep that type of mindset, we’re after it. It’s another year, and we’re out to finish what we started. We’re going to close out some of these debts. That’s got to be the attitude. That’s the mindset across the board -- every day in practice, no matter who we play, no matter what people think, we’re going. I just think it’s a mindset, that’s all.”
‘Forgotten man’ David Montgomery
Montgomery also said he feels like he became the forgotten man in the Lions offense last season because of his injury. Campbell said that’s certainly not the case in the locker room.
“Believe me: He is not forgotten,” Campbell said. “We know exactly who he is, where he is, and what he’s capable of. The one-two punch with he and (Jahmyr) Gibbs is special, and it’s rare in this league, in my opinion, especially nowadays.”
Campbell said there’s absolutely a place in this offense for Montgomery.
“We know he’s one of our best offensive players, and that’s not changing right now,” Campbell said.
Levi Onwuzurike injury
The Lions have already been bit by the injury bug, as defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the year due to ACL surgery.
Campbell was asked about the injury and when it happened.
“I would say this is something that crept up,” Campbell said. “Once the season’s done, it’s kind of the normal aches and pains. ... But then, probably the month after he signed -- month and a half, somewhere in there -- knee’s bothering him. We keep working through it and it’s not getting any better, so just needed to get this done.”
‘Time to take next step’ for Hendon Hooker
Campbell said backup quarterback Hendon Hooker knows that he’s got to compete during training camp and the preseason.
“We gave him some things to do while he was home,” Campbell said. “Talking about working on a little bit of the urgency, the footwork, certainly continue training.
“It’s only one day, but I liked what I saw out there yesterday.”
Hooker was one of the primary focuses during the Lions preseason last year because Jared Goff didn’t play a single snap.
“He knows what it is,” Campbell said. “He knows it’s time to take the next step and so it’s his move. I think he’s wired right and it means something to him, so here we go.”