Dan Campbell isn’t ready to hand Derrick Moore a bigger role just yet, but the Lions coach made it clear the rookie defensive end is still on the climb.
Moore, the 2026 second-round pick, has opened his NFL career in a quieter spot than plenty expected. He missed some practice time during training camp because of injury, and through three weeks he still hasn’t posted a tackle or a sack.
With Detroit’s defensive line reshaped and D.J. Wonnum coming off his most productive game since signing in free agency, there isn’t much room for a young edge rusher to force his way onto the field without showing more.
Speaking during his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket, Campbell was asked what Moore needs to do to earn more snaps. His answer centered on one thing: reps.
"He's just he needs reps, you know. And he's going to continue to try to turn it on here," said Campbell.
"I thought there were flickers there that were better than certainly Buffalo. But right now, we're going to use him as we see fit here and see if we can get him to grow a little bit.
And once he starts taking the next step, he's going to get more. So, the ball's in his court.
But, he's a young player, and every young player grows at a different rate. Some are going to hit it quick, some it takes half a season, some it takes a year.
But, the kid is working at practice and I anticipate he's going to, he's going to find his way here pretty soon."
Campbell also addressed a separate change last week, when it was reported that he has been spending a little more time in defensive meetings. Detroit’s defense has struggled with explosive plays and has let leads slip early in the 2026 season, and Campbell described the adjustment as a simple way to widen the view in the room.
"Well, it’s an extra set of eyes, that's all," Campbell shared last week. "And it's an offensive perspective.
And so, I try to split my time or split it three ways between all three units. And so yeah, I've gone in there more and then I catch up with the offense after the fact later on.
So, it's just always good to move around as much as you can and be in those.
"It's good, man. Staff's doing a good job, they are," Campbell added. "And players work this week really in all three phases and every day it's about making the corrections and make sure they don't happen again and we're getting ready for this opponent.”
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