The Detroit Lions were back on the field Wednesday at the Allen Park Performance Center, getting started on their prep for the New York Jets while a few familiar names were absent from the brief practice window open to local reporters.
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill, safety Thomas Harper and offensive lineman Ben Bartch were not seen during that portion of practice. The biggest concern on that list is Harper, with Detroit already a bit stretched at safety after Avonte Maddox was forced to miss the rest of the 2026 NFL season.
That leaves the Lions leaning on the experience they do have. Christian Izien and Chuck Clark both have playing time under their belts, and they could wind up together in a key matchup against a familiar opponent.
Detroit has also been active in trying to shore up the room. General manager Brad Holmes added Jalen Mills to the practice squad and signed Bishop Fitzgerald from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad.
Before practice, Dan Campbell was asked what stood out to him about Fitzgerald during the pre-draft process.
“Yeah, when he was coming out, he was somebody that really caught our eyes and we were kind of back and forth on him and that whole draft process about, 'If you are, where do you take him? What is it?'
Which speaks volumes about him," said Campbell. "He's a football player and he's somebody that, he's got some versatility to him.
We felt like he's got some range, can play top-down, and he's intriguing to us. So, those guys we always keep tabs on.
If they were somebody we had a draftable grade on and they come available, let's get a look at them.”
There was some encouraging news on the injury front, too. Christian Mahogany and Blake Miller both returned to practice and have a chance to play against the Jets in Week 3.
Campbell also made it clear earlier this week that the Lions’ 1-1 start hasn’t rattled him.
"You get a little bit better and the floor begins to rise on where you're at. And so no, listen, I'm not discouraged.
And to me, it's always been pretty black and white," said Campbell. "These are the issues and this is what we've got to do to correct them and we will correct them.
And if we can't, then we'll find the right guys to correct them and we get better.”
In Other News...
Lions Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision They Can't Ignore
As the Lions continue to weigh ways to shore up their secondary, Joey Porter Jr. has emerged as a name worth monitoring in Pittsburgh. The Steelers cornerback has not signed a contract extension, and that alone has opened the door to trade chatter. CBS Sports took the idea a step further by laying out three mock trade scenarios involving Detroit, each built around different combinations of draft picks and players, which is enough to show how serious the discussion could become if the Steelers decide to listen.
For Detroit, the appeal is obvious: a young corner with upside who could fit a long-term need. But the cost matters just as much, especially with the Lions already managing their salary cap situation and trying to keep the roster balanced for the stretch ahead. The uncertainty around Porter's contract future is what makes this such a tricky call, because any move would have to account not just for what he brings now, but for what it would take to keep him around. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Fans Have One Reason To Watch This Jets Matchup Closely
Brad Rogers will be the referee when the Lions host the Jets in Week 3 at Ford Field, adding another familiar name to a game Detroit fans already had circled on the calendar. Rogers has worked multiple Lions games in recent seasons, and he has also been on the field for some of the teams bigger moments, which makes this assignment worth noting beyond the usual officiating pregame chatter.
The bigger reason for Detroit followers to keep an eye on the crew is the way it has started this season. Through its first two games, Rogers group has been one of the more active penalty crews, and defensive holding has already been called often enough to shape drives and field position. For a Lions offense that likes to build rhythm and a secondary that can be tested vertically, the way this game is officiated could end up being part of the storyline before the fourth quarter even arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Face A Trade Deadline Dilemma On Defense
As the trade deadline approaches, the Lions find themselves weighing whether a splash on defense should come on the edge or in the secondary. Arizonas Josh Sweat has emerged as a name worth monitoring if the Cardinals decide to make him available, and theres an obvious appeal for Detroit: he has been productive, he comes with a manageable contract, and he could fit as a short-term boost for a team trying to strengthen its front without tying itself down long term.
Still, the fit is not quite as simple as chasing the biggest name on the board. Detroits more pressing defensive concern has been pass defense, which makes another edge addition feel a little less essential than it might for other contenders. The Lions could certainly use help getting after the quarterback, but the real question is whether deadline resources are better spent fixing the back end or doubling down on a pass rush that already has plenty of support. [Read more 🡒]