RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesDetroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill (54) practices during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
The Detroit Lions suffered what appears to be their first in-practice injuries of training camp on Thursday. Veteran defensive tackle Alim McNeill and rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder left early and did not return.
But it wasn’t all bad news for Detroit. They did get one player back from an injury list, and it appears others are making progress. Let’s break down all of the Day 3 injury news below.
Returned to practice:
G Christian Mahogany ( NFI )
Mahogany was officially taken off the Non-Football Injury list on Friday and immediately got some first-team reps, splitting time with Juice Scruggs. Mahogany told a small group of reporters that his absence was not injury related, and he’s ready to improve upon last year’s perforance.
Not practicing:
RB Jahmyr Gibbs ( not-injury related )
TE Tyler Conklin (PUP, calf)
OT Giovanni Manu (NFI)
EDGE Payton Turner (back)
S Kerby Joseph (PUP, knee)
S Brian Branch (PUP, Achilles)
S Christian Izien (NFI, flu)
The only updates we got from this group is that Izien’s return got pushed back a practice.
“One more day. That’s the hope,” coach Dan Campbell said. “We were hopeful today. We just—hey, let’s back this up one more day.’ So, hopefully after this day off and on Sunday, he’s able to go. He had the flu. He’s just still a little weak.”
Kerby Joseph continues to get some strenuous work on the hill outside for practice, but nothing about his status appears to have changed.
Gibbs’ hold-in continues.
Left practice early
DT Alim McNeill (neck)
LB Jimmy Rolder (leg)
About halfway through practice, both McNeill and Rolder left practice under their own power. McNeill was in good spirits and talking with some of the friends and family in the stands nearby, while Rolder was getting a little more assistance from a trainer that was escorting him inside the facility.
At this point, the Lions have only offered the following update:
The following players left practice early today to be evaluated for potential injuries.
LB Jimmy Rolder (leg) DT Alim McNeill (neck)
Earlier in the day, Campbell spoke about just how important McNeill is to the defense this year.
“Mac is very important. It is going to be huge,” Campbell said. “Particularly when, look, on all of it, it’s big, right because you’re part of the other 10 that are on that field. But, when you’re talking about transitioning to rush off a play pass from the offense or even just, here we go, man, it’s a known pass down. Somebody’s going to get a one-on-one. […] There’s these times where either he’s not doubled or (Aidan Hutchinson) Hutch—they have got to win. Mac’s got to win. And, he has the ability to win a one-on-one.”
Last year, McNeill missed the first half of the season as he recovered from a torn ACL suffered in 2024. Campbell admitted that going back on the film, it was clear McNeill was still favoring that leg when he initially returned. Thankfully, this injury appears unrelated.
The Lions next take the field on Sunday, but coach Dan Campbell isn’t expected to speak with the media until Monday. So we may have to wait until then to get an update on both players—if they’re not back in the lineup by Sunday.
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