DETROIT – Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism about the team’s progress and addressed several key topics during Monday’s press conference.
“We’re excited about today. This will be great for us,” said Campbell, setting a positive tone.
When asked about the shoulder injury that second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. suffered, Campbell acknowledged the challenges.
“He’s had a bunch of injuries to start his career. You hate it for the kid. It’s not his fault. All you can do is try to get better, rehab, come back stronger, and move on,” Campbell said.
When evaluating running backs who are losing their potency, Campbell emphasized observation over statistics.
“You can see it with your eyes, on tape. Whether it’s losing a little burst, pop, or cut, your eyes tell you a lot. Usually, the numbers back that up, but you don’t look at the numbers first,” Campbell said.
Campbell also discussed the value of joint practices, especially for players who do not see preseason game time.
“This is their chance to get that type of preseason work in a more controlled environment. We’ll be able to tell a ton about the backs, the line, the D-line, linebackers — those guys really get stressed and benefit from this work,” Campbell said.
The Lions will look to give more players pivotal reps, especially after being outplayed in the NFL Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, against the Los Angeles Chargers, who won 34-7.
Reflecting on last season’s lessons, Campbell said, “With every year, your club matures. You learn not to take opportunities for granted. There’s more of a sense of urgency. We can’t afford errors that cost us.”
Regarding quarterback Hendon Hooker‘s mental readiness, the coach noted improvement but acknowledged ongoing challenges.
“He’s better than in the spring at getting plays in, running the offense, seeing covers, and making checks. He just needs some small victories to build confidence,” Campbell said.
Hooker will get the start vs. the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, Aug. 8, inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 7 p.m.
On the starting offense’s progress at day 10 of camp, Campbell said, “It’s about where we’ve been. We see growth and some frustrations — off-sides, wrong splits, fumbles. We have to clean that up. But I like where we’re going. We get better every day.”
Wide receiver Tim Patrick was described as a steady veteran working hard despite feeling sluggish.
“He hasn’t been targeted much, which makes it harder. But Tim is smart, reliable, and a hard worker. He’ll be fine.”
Campbell also addressed the competitive spirit between the offensive and defensive staff.
“It’s business as usual — a competitive environment where everyone wants to win. The emotions run high, but when you walk off the field, it’s arm in arm and some friendly jabs,” Campbell said.
Finally, regarding the placement of rookie safety Dan Jackson on the injured reserve list, Campbell provided a cautious update.
“It doesn’t look good. We’re sending it out for more opinions, but it looks like he’ll be down for a while.”
Jackson was placed on IR a day after he left practice due to the injury following practice on Sunday, Aug. 3.
The Lions drafted Jackson in the seventh round out of Georgia in the 2025 NFL draft.
Reports indicate that the 230th draft pick will be out for a long time.