NICK WILLIAMS

The Zeeland East football team’s mantra is to start the 2022 season where it left off a year ago. But Chix second-year coach Joe Woodruff said look at the big picture during MLive’s July 25 Grand Rapids High School Football Media Day. “When we walked on the practice field the first day last year, we had 17 varsity football players,” Woodruff said. Woodruff looked to his junior varsity program for help with the low numbers and started nine sophomores. Senior linebacker Nick Williams, who led the Chix in tackles last season and plays tight end, is confident it will.

ALLEN PARK -- The NFL Network reports Nick Williams, a two-year starter for the Detroit Lions, is signing with the New York Giants ahead of training camp. Despite consistent playing time, the veteran defensive lineman’s time in Detroit wasn’t very productive. Williams had 1.5 sacks and six tackles for loss across 31 appearances and 30 starts. Last offseason, he even took a pay cut from his two-year, $10 million deal to stick around.

The Detroit Lions will reportedly host defensive lineman Arden Key on a free-agent visit to open the week per the NFL Network. Key, 25, had a breakout season in a rotational role with the San Francisco 49ers last year. Key played all over San Francisco’s defensive line. “Hearing there’s a few teams in the mix for him but he starts with a meeting with Detroit,” Mike Garafolo reports. The Lions also have the athletic and often-injured Julian Okwara and Austin Bryant in the mix after promising showings down the stretch.

The Lions lack talent throughout their roster, and they can use help in NFL free agency at every position in coach Dan Campbell's second season.

Recently hired Brian Daboll has filled out a majority of his staff with the Giants, adding the first woman to hold a coaching position in the team’s history along with a pair of coordinators new to New York.

Previous entries: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive lineDEFENSIVE LINE/EDGE DEFENDERSStarters: EDGE Trey Flowers, EDGE Romeo Okwara, DL Nick Williams, DL Michael Brockers, NT Alim McNeillBackups: EDGE Charles Harris, EDGE Julian Okwara, EDGE Austin Bryant, EDGE Rashod Berry, EDGE Jessie Lemonier, DL Levi Onwuzurike, DL Jashon Cornell, NT John Penisini, DL Bruce HectorKey stats: Charles Harris led the team with 7.5 sacks and 52 pressures. The third-round rookie even got in the mix getting after the quarterback, flashing that size-athleticism combo that had many excited. It allowed Charles Harris to come in and enjoy a career-best campaign while putting the pass rush on his back. Harris had only 6.5 sacks and 81 pressures through his first four years in the league. The former first-round pick exploded for 7.5 sacks and 52 pressures through only seven starts after signing a one-year deal.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have placed running back Jamaal Williams and safety Tracy Walker on the COVID reserve list. They also officially ruled out running back D’Andre Swift (shoulder) and listed tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand) as doubtful. Williams handled the bulk of the work with Swift missing the team’s game last week, running 17 times for 71 yards in the win. “It’s, we kind have talked about this, it’s the versatility,” Lions tight end coach Ben Johnson said of Cabinda. For a big tight end, er fullback, you just don’t see much of that.

DETROIT -- Lions linebacker Josh Woods has been a special teams staple since landing in Detroit but had drawn only four defensive snaps leading into week 13. Reeves-Maybin and rookie Derrick Barnes had split most of the work behind Alex Anzalone to this point, so it was interesting to see Woods jump ahead of the fourth-round rookie. Pro Football Focus docked Woods for his work against the pass while ranking him 12th among linebackers on the ground. -- Alim McNeill was right there with his fellow rookie on the defensive line, drawing a career-high 43 snaps. -- Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds dominated the snaps out wide, both seeing more than 60 snaps in the win.

The Detroit Lions received some much-needed reinforcements in the returning Taylor Decker, not to mention a fully-unleashed Da’Shawn Hand in their 16-16 tie in Pittsburgh in Week 10. Hand drew 68 defensive snaps in his second game back from injured reserve. Kalif Raymond (47), Amon-Ra St. Brown (43), KhaDarel Hodge (four) and Geronimo Allison (two) were also in the mix. St. Brown led the group with four catches for 61 yards. PFF reports St. Brown had 33 snaps in the slot and nine out wide, a slight shift.

Joe Burrow tied a career high with three touchdown passes, helping the Cincinnati Bengals rout the Detroit Lions 34-11 Sunday.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions put the bows on another winless preseason, falling to the Indianapolis Colts 27-17 in their exhibition finale. This post will run through players trending up and those not, heading into Tuesday’s final roster cuts. Trending upDetroit Lions running back Godwin Igwebuike (35) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during their NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field in Detroit, on Friday, August 27, 2021. Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) scores a touchdown during their NFL preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field in Detroit, on Friday, August 27, 2021. Related stories:Instant observations: Detroit Lions go winless in preseason again, lose QB Tim Boyle to injury tooDetroit Lions lose 27-17 to Indianapolis Colts to finish preseason winless: Live updates recapWith roster cuts looming, Detroit Lions could lose QB Tim Boyle to thumb injury for ‘some time’

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions wrapped up training camp on Wednesday with a second straight practice in a hot, sticky heat, and tensions came to a boil near the end of the workout. A couple dozen players began pushing and shoving, with some players piling up on the ground. “It gets toward the end of camp, and it’s hot days. Players have been well-behaved since then, until the melee near the end of practice on Wednesday afternoon. “I’m gonna take the Fifth on that.”That said, Lynn liked the violent intensity on the final day of a long, hot camp.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have activated defensive tackle Nick Williams after a nearly two-week stint on the COVID list. Williams was enjoying a nice start to camp -- including working with the first-team defense on most days -- when he contracted the virus and was placed on the COVID list on Aug. 7. Williams joined the Lions last season and was supposed to anchor that new-look front, but he and that unit disappointed during a historically bad defensive season in Detroit. Williams appeared in 14 games, made 13 starts and finished with 23 tackles, three quarterback hits, one sack and two fumble recoveries. He agreed to take a pay cut to return for a second season and try to win a spot for the new regime, but the competition has been fierce.

DETROIT -- Nick Williams’ strong training camp has come to halt. The Lions announced on Saturday morning they’ve moved the defensive tackle to the COVID list. And with fellow defensive tackles like Michael Brockers and John Penisini not practicing in recent days, numbers are lean at the position. The Lions have signed two more defensive tackles to help fortify the depth on the interior of their defensive line, inking P.J. Barnett is a former Georgia defensive tackle who went undrafted in 2020.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have claimed defensive tackle Bruce Hector off waivers via the Tennessee Titans per the NFL Network. The pair of rookie defensive tackles are expected to play a vital role in finding an interior pass rush in Detroit. Williams didn’t do much of note in his debut season in Detroit, taking an offseason pay cut to stick around. Penisini started the final 12 games of his rookie season due to those injuries and is very much in the mix to see meaningful reps this season. Detroit Lions training camp preview: Pair of rookies expected to play vital role on defensive lineRelated: Lions place DL Brian Price on reserve/retired listRelated: Detroit Lions optimistic they have something special in the oft-injured DL Da’Shawn Hand

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have placed defensive lineman Brian Price on the reserve/retired list, leaving two open spots on their 90-man roster ahead of training camp. The Lions open training camp tomorrow, with rookies and players already reporting to the team’s practice facility in Allen Park. He had 20 tackles in 24 career games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Detroit drafted two defensive tackles in April’s draft and made an offseason trade for veteran Michael Brockers. Detroit Lions training camp preview: Defensive lineRelated: Detroit Lions move oft-injured Austin Bryant to PUP, another to COVID list

You’d be hard-pressed to find another organization that has undergone more change than your Detroit Lions. Levi Onwuzurike will move around more, playing defensive end in base sets and moving inside on dime and other packages. Brockers brings something that was missing from the defensive line through Matt Patricia’s tenure -- being available. With all that said, Detroit’s defensive line has been one of the least effective in the league for two years running. It’ll be a great duo.”Roster projection: Michael Brockers, Levi Onwuzurike, Alim McNeill, Da’Shawn Hand, John Penisini

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jiménez was having surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured left pectoral tendon, and general manager Rick Hahn said the slugger still is expected to miss five to six months. Hahn said the timeline hasn't changed, though he left the door open for Jiménez to return sooner. With Tim Anderson, AL MVP José Abreu and Yoán Moncada, the White Sox have a potent lineup. But Vaughn, a first baseman who was selected by the White Sox with the No. The White Sox released veteran catcher Jonathon Lucroy on Tuesday.

Sixto Sánchez made his third start, yielding a run on three hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings. Austin Gomber gave up five runs on eight hits, four of them home runs, 5 1/3 innings. Arizona starter Luke Weaver struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings. Right-hander Adbert Alzolay continued to struggle for Chicago, allowing two runs in 3 1/3 innings. BREWERS 2, GIANTS 2Brett Anderson pitched two-run ball over 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and striking out three for Milwaukee.

ALLEN PARK -- Defensive tackle Nick Williams signed a two-year contract worth up to $10 million with the Detroit Lions last offseason. “I want to bring good football to the Detroit defensive line,” he said. Williams had 23 tackles and just one sack on 538 snaps, while the defensive line proved to be among the worst in football yet again. Now six of those players are gone, but the new regime liked Williams enough to offer him a pay cut to stay in Detroit. Williams’ cap hit will now be $3.0 million, savings of about $2.7 million.

ALLEN PARK -- This time last year, Bob Quinn was putting together a free-agent class that he thought was finally going to push the Detroit Lions over the top. The most recent purges are quarterback Chase Daniel and defensive tackle Danny Shelton, who are getting released in the aftermath of Romeo Okwara’s big free-agent deal according to NFL Network. So Quinn spend big on the veteran Daniel to offer a steadying hand should Stafford go down again. Daniel finished 29 of 43 passing for the season, with 264 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. A recap of the Lions’ moves this week:SIGNED: NoneRE-SIGNED: DE Romeo Okwara, LB Jalen Reeves-MaybinLOST: LB Jarrad Davis (Jets), KR/PR/WR Jamal Agnew (Jaguars)CUT: OL Joe Dahl, QB Chase Daniel, DT Danny Shelton

DETROIT -- Dan Skipper hadn’t played defensive line since his days in high school, but that changed for the short-handed Detroit Lions in Week 17. Skipper, a reserve offensive lineman, logged nine defensive snaps, but most importantly, came in during a goal-to-go situation. Detroit’s defensive line and pass rush were missing several pieces, and Danny Shelton, Nick Williams and Kevin Strong were banged up at different points. He said the coaches put him on a “hey, by the way, this could happen” basis to be ready to see defensive line reps in the homestretch. Julian Okwara logged 19 off the edge, finding his way into the rotation.

Left tackle Justin Herron left with an ankle injury. — Browns defensive end Olivier Vernon suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. — Lions offensive linemen Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Jonah Jackson left with concussions and defensive tackle Nick Williams injured an ankle vs. Minnesota. — Giants linebacker Blake Martinez left briefly after appearing to injure his left ankle or foot in the third quarter. — Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson (wrist) and cornerback Greg Martin (hamstring) left the game.

The NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles have gotten healthier on offense in time for another division game. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is back in Philadelphia’s lineup against the New York Giants, his first action since foot surgery last year. Running back Miles Sanders, the Eagles' leading rusher, is also back after missing three games with a knee injury. Okung will miss his fifth game this season because of injury, so Dennis Daley starts, protecting Teddy Bridgewater’s blindside. The Buccaneers are playing without left guard Ali Marpet, who will miss his second consecutive game with a concussion.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions haven’t won without Kenny Golladay all season. The Lions have officially ruled out Golladay for Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team at Ford Field, while tight end T.J. Hockenson (foot), offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot), guard Joe Dahl (back), linebacker Jarrad Davis (knee), defensive tackle Nick Williams (shoulder) and receiver Jamal Agnew (ribs) are all questionable. He never put in a full day of work this week and missed Thursday’s practice entirely. Hockenson ranks among the five most productive tight ends in the league with 34 catches for 360 yards and five touchdowns. You’re blocking, you’re catching, you’re in a lot of different positions.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit’s practice report is still on the long side, but the Lions welcomed a handful of players back in some capacity at Thursday’s practice. It wasn’t all good news, though, with tight end T.J. Hockenson popping up on Thursday’s report with a toe injury. Hockenson wasn’t listed on the first practice report of the week, so his absence certainly clouds his status for the weekend. Hockenson played 57 snaps (76%) last week, catching five passes on eight targets for 39 yards and one touchdown. The Lions were also still without star receiver Kenny Golladay, who is trending toward missing his second straight game.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have been blown out twice in a row. Now they return home two games below .500 and their long-shot playoff chances already on the brink of collapse. And oh, by the way, one-quarter of the team missed some/all of practice on Wednesday. The Lions listed 13 players, or 24.5% of their 53-man roster, on their practice report after Wednesday’s workout at team headquarters. Detroit kicks off the second half of the season on Sunday by hosting the Washington Football Team at Ford Field.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions delivered another strong defensive showing against the Falcons, dialing up more pressure and locking down the run in consecutive weeks. But I think that those guys have done a really good job inside anchoring that middle a little bit. This time around, Okwara got some love, coming in as the fifth-best defensive end with high praise for his pass-rushing. Related: Trey Flowers' elite all-around showing boosts Detroit’s defensive line in dominating win“I think Romeo has been unbelievable. It was great.”It’s quite the turnaround for Okwara, someone who was expected to play a vital role on the defensive line after a breakout 2018 season.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions have a chance to get back to .500 heading into their bye week with a Week 4 matchup with the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans allows 252 passing yards per game and will officially be without cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore. may play 60-something snaps,” Lions linebackers coach Ty McKenzie said. pic.twitter.com/34r69KMkkH — Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 30, 2020Rookie to watch: DL John PenisiniJohn Penisini’s role has grown with each passing week. Detroit led the way through the first two games but played man coverage on only 55.6% of snaps last week.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are 0-2 after two bad losses to start the season. Comparing the first two games of this year to last season show Stafford’s stats have dropped off. The Lions are still running deeper patterns, Stafford just isn’t throwing the ball deep as much as last year. Finally, Jamal Agnew lost the Lions 20 yards of field position when he committed a personal foul on a punt return. Getting rid of those mistakes is a good start to helping the Lions try to avoid starting 0-3 this year.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Detroit Lions to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field Sunday. Aaron Jones rushed for a career-high 168 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a 75-yard breakaway, as the Green Bay Packers rallied from an early 11-point deficit to beat the Detroit Lions 42-21 on Sunday. Green Bay took the lead for good 17-14 on Rodgers' 11-yard pass to Tonyan with 14 seconds left in the second quarter. That gave Stafford 35 career touchdown passes against the Packers, the most by any Green Bay opponent. Stafford has thrown for 5,430 career yards against the Packers to lead all Green Bay foes.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are losing starters left and right, with the team placing guard Joe Dahl on injured reserve. Dahl played all 78 snaps last week but popped up with a groin injury on Thursday’s practice report. The Lions signed Kenny Wiggins to the active roster from the team’s practice squad in the corresponding move. He started twice in relief for the Lions last year, and received praise with Wiggins from the team’s new offensive line coach on Friday. He’s familiar with the scheme and Lions defensive line coach Bo Davis.

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Williams has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday’s game in Green Bay against the Packers. He does have that and his quickness,” Lions defensive line coach Bo Davis said on Friday. Defensive tackle Kevin Strong appeared in eight games with the team last year, and remains on Detroit’s practice squad. Williams' absence also means the Lions will be missing three defensive starters on Sunday, with cornerbacks Justin Coleman and Desmond Trufant already ruled out. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford averaged 7.0 air yards per completion, his worst of the Darrell Bevell era.

Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.