Isaac TeSlaa’s training camp has gotten off to a rough patch, and Sunday’s practice did little to change that.
The Detroit Lions second-year wide receiver had a difficult day in one-on-one work, where he was unable to win a single rep. Rock Ya-Sin gave him problems twice with physical coverage, and Roger McCreary also got the better of him when TeSlaa couldn’t haul in a fade ball. That theme carried into team periods, where Ya-Sin knocked away a fade to the end zone and TeSlaa later had a post route tipped by the corner, with safety Chuck Clark closing in over the top.
Even so, the day wasn’t empty. TeSlaa did come away with a five-yard touchdown catch from the slot, with Amon-Ra St. Brown helping create the opening through what was described as a “legal pick.”
While TeSlaa works through a sluggish start, the competition behind the top of the Lions’ receiver group is getting more interesting. Veterans Greg Dortch and Cedrick Wilson Jr. are both making a push for the fourth wideout job, and Dortch in particular could tighten the race if he keeps stacking consistent practices and earning more work with the first team.
Head coach Dan Campbell sounded encouraged by Dortch’s impact as a return man, while also making it clear the Lions like what they already have at the top of the receiver room.
“Did you see some of those returns yesterday? Those drills we had, I love (Dave) Fipp’s.
The five-on-five, some of the, man, his return ability really showed up," said Campbell. "He wasn't the only one.
We had a couple other guys that were pretty good, but that was really impressive. But, there again, (Khalil) Dorsey has got a history here with (Drew) Petzing, so he knows what he's able to do.
Certainly, we know what he's able to do from afar just on tape.
"And so, for him, it's man, where do you fit in at? We're going to need to be able to use you, rely on you.
We feel pretty good so far about the return stuff, but there again, we have got a whole camp to go," Campbell added further. "But, we also have got three pretty good receivers too right now at the top of this thing that we feel pretty good about, really good about."
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