The Lions finally got Jahmyr Gibbs back on the field in pads, but not in the way fans have been waiting for. He showed up at the team’s Allen Park Performance Center and joined his teammates for the first time, yet his work was limited to walkthrough reps. He stayed out of team periods and was seen off to the side with a team trainer.
That matters now more than ever, because the pressure around extending the former first-round pick only got louder after Jonathan Taylor signed his new deal to stay with the Indianapolis Colts. Gibbs still has not been a full participant in practice after one week of camp, and while there’s no expectation that he’ll tumble far behind, he is missing live reps in Drew Petzing’s offense.
Detroit has kept moving anyway. In Gibbs’ absence, Isiah Pacheco and Jacob Saylors have both been productive, and the Lions’ depth chart has been tested even more with Sione Vaki sidelined after suffering a broken nose at practice.
Saylors, who came to the Lions after previously contributing in the UFL, has made enough of an impression this summer to draw praise from Dan Campbell. He also spent last season carving out a role on special teams as a kick returner.
"He knows the system and he's a smart guy. He's conscientious," said Campbell.
"And, so that's always going to help when you come into camp and you're like, 'All right man, now I know why we're doing what we're doing, what we're asked to do, the calls, all of that.' He looks much more comfortable.
He's got ability. I mean, you see it.
He's got ability. So yeah, he's about to get, it's a great opportunity for him.
This is a great opportunity. So, it'll be good to see."
The Lions have also been taking a closer look at Jabari Small, who spent most of last season on the practice squad. Pacheco has been the headliner among the backs getting extra work, but the injuries and absences have opened the door for Detroit to evaluate the rest of the room more closely.
"(Jabari) Small too. I mean, obviously Zay is Zay.
That guy's a stud, man. I'm glad he's here.
But man, you talked about Saylors and Small is doing some things and he's doing some things on special teams too, man," Campbell added further. "Low to the ground, center of gravity, he's stout, he's strong.
He's got lateral quicks. Pretty good, man.
Guys are going to get a pretty good look here.”
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Isaac TeSlaa Faces An Early Camp Test In Crucial Year 2
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Dan Campbell said TeSlaa has run into some of the usual growing pains that come with those adjustments, but the coach made it clear the team sees this as part of the development curve rather than a setback. Campbell likened it to refining a golf swing, the sort of thing that only gets better through repetition, and TeSlaas next step will be showing that the work in practice can carry over once the games start to matter again. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Camp Still Leaves Big Questions About Who's Really Ready
Detroits seventh camp practice came with the kind of heat that can turn a routine August session into a test of endurance, and several players were left managing their workloads because of it. The Lions had a mix of limited participation and absences as the temperature and a handful of injuries shaped the day, with the staff clearly taking a cautious approach rather than forcing anyone through a long workout.
Jahmyr Gibbs was back on the field, but his return still stopped short of full participation, and Tyler Conklin also rejoined the mix after coming off the PUP list. Even so, both were handled carefully as the team eased through walkthrough work and individual periods, leaving their next step in camp as the more interesting question than simply whether they were present at all. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Camp Just Raised The Stakes For One Crowded Position
An open practice for fans gave the Lions another look at a linebacker room that has become more interesting by the day. Detroit has been leaning into competition and depth on defense, and the recent addition of Devin White only sharpened that dynamic as the team works to keep the unit adaptable heading into the season.
Kelvin Sheppard has already pointed to Whites experience as part of the appeal, but the bigger picture is still centered on how the group sorts itself out once the pads stay on. Dan Campbell is also expected to offer an update on Malcolm Rodriguez after his ankle issue, adding another layer to a position battle that already has plenty riding on it. [Read more 🡒]