RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesDetroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2) 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 opened Year 6 of training camp under Dan Campbell on Wednesday with a crisp, 90-minute practice free of injuries and skirmishes. While the biggest headlines centered around the absences of Jahmyr Gibbs and starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, several players turned in noteworthy performances on the field.
With the Lions practicing in shells rather than full pads, many of the standout moments came through the passing game or from players who capitalized on expanded opportunities.
Jared Goff’s receiving triplets — WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR Jameson Williams, and TE Sam LaPorta
Even without Gibbs, Detroit’s offensive playmakers wasted little time reminding everyone how stacked this group is.
St. Brown opened 7-on-7 drills with one of the catches of the day, hauling in a fully extended toe-tapping reception along the sideline despite tight coverage draped over his back. It was the perfect way to begin camp, looking every bit like the aerial assassin All-Pro receiver who left off last season. He later added two more receptions on underneath throws.
Williams stole the show.
His highlight-reel, 40-yard contested catch down the middle was arguably the play of the day. After throttling down to track the deep post perfectly, Williams elevated between Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Chuck Clark, who were both in tight coverage, and came down with the football before popping up with the bravado of a player poised for a breakout season.
Earlier in practice, Williams also appeared to come down with another contested ball along the sideline against D.J. Reed. Without replay, it was difficult to determine whether he got both feet in bounds, and both sides had differing opinions, but it was another impressive display of his catching ability.
UPDATE: The Lions posted a replay, and he’s clearly in.
Waymo 🤝 Ironsides https://t.co/fzEe6khVZw pic.twitter.com/GuymrIA6Z4
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 29, 2026
Williams also added a sharp curl-route reception during 7-on-7 drills with Ennis Rakestraw in tight coverage, showcasing continued growth as a route runner.
While several injured players—including Levi Onwuzurike and Ben Bartch—were limited to warmups and individual drills, LaPorta looked fully healthy. The Pro Bowl tight end took roughly 90% of the first-team offensive reps, only coming off the field for a handful of snaps.
LaPorta wasn’t heavily featured as a receiver, finishing with one short catch from Jared Goff, but the bigger takeaway was how comfortable and fluid he looked coming off his back injury. Having one of Detroit’s premier offensive weapons moving at full speed again is an encouraging development entering the season.
CB Nick Whiteside
“Old Ironsides,” as Dan Campbell affectionately calls him, may have been the biggest surprise of Day 1.
Whiteside opened practice with the third-team defense but earned a few second-team reps late in practice after recording three pass breakups.
His first came during 7-on-7 drills when he broke up a Luke Altmeyer scramble-drill downfield throw intended for Jackson Meeks. Shortly afterward, he knocked away a slant intended for tight end Miles Kitselman before capping his day with another breakup against Tarik Black, sticking with the receiver throughout an extended scramble before punching away a low Altmeyer pass.
Whiteside enters camp on the outside looking in for a roster spot, but he made the most of his opportunities Wednesday. He proved capable of stepping in when called upon last season, and performances like this could make it difficult for the coaching staff to leave him off the final 53-man roster.
Following Terrion Arnold’s release, Detroit elected not to add another cornerback. With only eight cornerbacks currently on the roster and likely six making the team, Whiteside should receive every opportunity to make his case throughout camp.
Starting linebackers — Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, and Malcolm Rodriguez
Jack Campbell’s place in this defense was never in question, but Day 1 provided encouraging signs for roles of the two linebackers alongside him.
Most notably, Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez handled every first-team linebacker snap during team drills. Outside of warmups, no other linebacker rotated in with the starters, suggesting Rodriguez has an early grip on the starting WILL linebacker job while Barnes appears positioned to ascend to an every down role.
As expected for the opening practice, Detroit spent plenty of time in its base defense, with Barnes aligned at SAM linebacker on the line of scrimmage. When the Lions shifted into nickel personnel and Roger McCreary replaced Rodriguez, Barnes transitioned to off-ball linebacker, reinforcing his value as one of the defense’s most versatile pieces.
Just as noteworthy was the communication between Campbell, Barnes, and Rodriguez. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing consistently tested the defense with shifts and motions, forcing Detroit’s linebackers to communicate pre-snap and adjust responsibilities on the fly. The trio responded well, even getting Jared Goff and Cade Mays to check protections and audible before the snap on occasion.
Barnes also found his way into the backfield on multiple occasions, and when Campbell, Barnes, or Rodriguez dropped into coverage, Goff largely avoided attacking the intermediate middle of the field. Campbell also appeared to get his hand up to bat away a ball on a blitz.
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Maybe the third time is the charm for the much-maligned former second-round pick.
One of the biggest surprises from Day 1 was just how much work Ennis Rakestraw Jr. received with the first-team defense.
While veteran Rock Ya-Sin rotated in throughout practice and opened as the No. 2 cornerback during certain periods, R...
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