When the pads come on in training camp the physicality and tackling increases and inevitably injuries are going to happen. The Lions were struck with a couple Tuesday morning at the Meijer Performance Center.
Veteran defensive lineman John Cominsky was rolled up on during a running play in a team period. He was down on the field for a while being looked at by medical personnel and was eventually carted off the field and is being evaluated for a right knee injury.
Cominsky is entering his third season with the Lions after playing in 30 games (19 starts) his previous two years in Detroit with 66 tackles, seven tackles for loss and six sacks. He is fighting for a rotational role on the edge.
The second player to leave practice with an injury was reserve guard Netane Muti, who left a team period after suffering a left shoulder injury. He signed with the Lions back in February after spending his first three seasons in Denver (20 games played) and last season in Las Vegas (two games played).
OPEN DOOR POLICY
Taylor Decker talked to reporters Monday after signing his three-year extension and said he and head coach Dan Campbell had a great talk in the spring when Decker was getting frustrated with the pace of new contract talks with the team. Decker said it was a great talk and everything Campbell said in that meeting ended up coming to fruition.
Asked about it Tuesday, Campbell, who was also a former player in this league, said his door is always open. He and general manager Brad Holmes will always take an honest approach with players who come and talk to them.
"You got something on your mind? Come up and talk," Campbell said. "We can talk one-on-one and I'll give you the straight up. Man, I remember what it was like as a player, and I was lied to at one point, and I will never do that to a player. So even if it's going to hurt a little bit, I want him to know the truth."
SHOUT OUT
The Lions put on pads for the first time Monday morning and there's always players who step up and others who take a step back when the physicality and hitting picks up. Campbell was asked if there was anyone who stood out in pads on Monday.
"Parker Hesse," Campbell said. "He did some things, which quite frankly, I don't know if I'm that surprised. That's kind of his game. Some of these guys, you know, you run all of these pass specific drills and you're not in pads, but it's – that's kind of more his game. But I would say, yeah, he showed up."
Hesse signed a free-agent contract with the Lions this offseason after spending the last three seasons in Atlanta where he played in 28 games (8 starts) with 14 receptions for 132 yards and a 9.4-yard average per reception. He's been one of the better blocking tight ends in the league the last couple years.
View photos from Day 5 of Detroit Lions training camp on Monday July 29, 2024.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (92) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Kyle Peko (96) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87), Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Chris Smith (90) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Scottie Montgomery during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80), Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39), Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21), Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (18) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 29, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
WHY TACKLING IS IMPORTANT
Some fans would rather see starters put in bubble wrap in camp to make sure they make it to the regular season injury-free, but tackling and avoiding tackles is an art form and it's something players have to work on – both sides of it – to get ready for the regular season.
It's a fine line Campbell admits he struggles with at times.
"Whether you go pads, you don't go pads, you go live, you don't, you can always work on blocking, you can always work on releases, you can work on catching the ball, you can work on separation, you can work on run blocking, protection, quarterbacks can throw, coverage, you cannot work on tackling – you don't ever work on tackling unless you work on tackling, you know, getting somebody to the ground, so that's one," Campbell said.
"But two is also, when you go live, the intensity goes way up. The exertion that puts on the body is totally different and your players need that because they have to do that on Sunday for 70 plays, and so I don't want that to be the first time. There's going to be some of these guys that we don't play in the preseason, so I don't want this heavy exertion, all this tort through their body to be the first time 70 plays on Sunday, they need to get it now on grass. So that's another reason why we do it. But it is always a fine line. Listen, there's nothing easy about it, but I just feel like it's what's best for our guys and our team."
