The Detroit Lions are already juggling a few camp injuries, but Dan Campbell doesn’t sound overly alarmed about most of them.
After the first four practices of training camp, Campbell gave updates Monday on a cluster of players who have already been slowed down. The biggest concern is linebacker Jimmy Rolder, who is expected to miss some time with a hamstring issue. Tight end Miles Kitselman is also set to be out for a while, while defensive end Derrick Moore appears to have avoided anything major.
“Rolder will be out for a while, got a hamstring. Kitselman will be out for a while.
Derrick Moore, we're hoping kind of seven-to-ten days here,” Campbell said. “Just kind of a minor strain, which is good news.
It's unfortunate for all the rookies. These reps are valuable man, you miss valuable, valuable time.
But it also is what it is. The good news is, like we said with Derrick, it won't be too long.
For Rolder, it's a little unfortunate, but it's not a season-ender, so that's good news.”
That update came after Moore and Kitselman both left practice early on Sunday. Rolder’s situation had already become notable enough that the Lions signed veteran Devin White on Saturday, with reports tying that move to a possible absence for the rookie.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said he still expects Rolder to be part of the defense this season.
There was also a scare involving defensive tackle Alim McNeill on Friday, when he was evaluated for a neck injury. McNeill later told reporters Sunday that he had been kicked in the head by a teammate and did not suffer any significant injury.
Campbell also cleared up the status of offensive tackle Blake Miller, who was limited Sunday. That restriction was only precautionary, and Campbell said the first-round pick will be ready to go Monday.
“Blake, he'll roll today. We don't anticipate any issues,” Campbell said.
“He wanted to do more, we just kind of held him back, just got him some individual. Feel good about that, so we think he'll be okay for today.”
The timing matters because Detroit is moving into padded practices Monday, which should bring a noticeable jump in intensity and physicality as the team pushes toward the 2026 season. The Lions’ first preseason game is scheduled for a week from Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
In Other News...
Lions Camp Competition Just Took A Telling Turn At Tight End
The tight end group in Lions camp got a little thinner before the first padded practice even arrived, and Detroit responded by bringing in another veteran option. Nick Muse, who spent the past four seasons in the NFL and most recently was with the Minnesota Vikings, joined the roster as the team continued sorting through its depth at the position.
The move came after undrafted tight end Miles Kitselman went down with an injury that is expected to keep him out for a while, prompting a corresponding roster adjustment. To make room, the Lions released wide receiver Tarik Black, a small but telling shift as camp competition starts to sharpen and the team looks for a workable mix behind its top tight ends. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Rookie Tyleik Williams Draws Backlash Over Viral Off-Field Clip
A video of rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams has been making the rounds on social media, and it has created an unwelcome side conversation around the Lions as they head into the heart of the offseason. Williams, the No. 28 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, spent much of his first year working as a rotational interior lineman, staying on the field for all 17 games while finishing with 18 tackles and a sack.
The clip has drawn plenty of reaction because of the way it shows Williams playfully slapping his girlfriend, putting the rookie in an off-field spotlight he did not need after a season in which his late-year conditioning issues already affected his snap count and production. For a Detroit team that drafted him to help fortify the middle of the defense, the bigger question now is how the organization handles the latest attention around a young player still trying to establish himself. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Cornerback Battle Just Got More Complicated Opposite DJ Reed
Training camp has already put Detroits cornerback depth under a microscope, and the competition opposite DJ Reed is shaping up as one of the more watched battles on the roster. Dan Campbell singled out Rock Ya-Sin, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Nick Whiteside as the main names in the mix, giving the Lions a three-man fight for a job that could carry plenty of weight once the games count.
Whiteside has been one of the more interesting developments in the group, especially considering his path as an undrafted player who has bounced between the practice squad and the active roster. His camp has been strong enough to keep him squarely in the conversation for a regular-season spot, and Campbells praise suggests the Lions have taken notice of how he has fit into both the defensive plan and special teams work. [Read more 🡒]
