With some of the new additions the Lions made upfront along their defensive line in veterans Marcus Davenport and DJ Reader, coupled with the expectation that some of their young players will continue to take leaps forward, Detroit expects their defensive front to be much improved in 2024.
Early on in training camp that certainly looks to be the case.
"This year already feels different," Pro Bowl edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson said after Wednesday's practice. "With the new D-line coach (Terrell Williams) and a couple new additions in the room, this is the best I've seen us perform in camp up to this point now in my third camp.
"It's really fun to watch. We are really getting after it, coming off the ball, striking the blocks. It's been a lot of fun this camp."
Davenport has been a really good addition so far and the emergence of fourth-year player Levi Onwuzurike, who is finally healthy, could be a huge addition for a defensive line that also features one of the best young defensive tackles in the league in Alim McNeill.
It's been evident from the outside looking in the front has been much more disruptive so far in camp. There's been a ton more pressure on quarterback Jared Goff, the run game has been limited, and the front has just been consistently more disruptive all the way around.
"Man, I can feel the defense," head coach Dan Campbell said. "I feel our front. You can feel the front is being disruptive. Man, we have violent separation. The backers and playing off of them, downhill, fast, all of them."
The Lions were the No. 2 defense against the run last year, spearheaded by the front, but they'd like to collectively generate more pressure in the pass game to support Hutchinson's efforts in that department. They finally feel like they have the players and the coach in Williams to get the most out of everyone upfront.
It's no secret the Lions have to be better defensively if they're going to take the next step in 2024. Just like we talk about everything starting offensively upfront with one of the best offensive lines in football, everything needs to start upfront on defense too, and so far through the first couple weeks of practice they have looked vastly more disruptive.
RUN GAME
The Lions have one of the best running back tandems in the NFL in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, who led a Lions rushing attack that was fifth in total yards (2,311), fifth in average yards per rush (4.62) and tied for first in rushing touchdowns (27) last season.
Every year there are some new wrinkles put in and the run game has to reestablish itself as the catalyst for this offense.
"Like anything we always start with a heavy load of different types of runs and you see, 'OK, what can we really hang our hat on or get good at?' And so really, we haven't busted some of these out of here," Campbell said.
"It's a work in progress, and really, to get good in the run game you've got to have pads on, you've got to work it. I mean, we just hit Day 2 (in pads), so I have a lot of confidence in what we're going to be able to do up front."
Gibbs missed all of the offseason training program rehabbing an injury so he's working his way back, but just because the offense hasn't busted a lot of runs so far in camp doesn't mean more aren't coming. Next week's joint practices against a good Giants defensive front will be good work for the offensive linemen and running backs in the run game.
"Look, Gibbs needs reps," Campbell said. "He got hurt in the spring and he's coming back off of it, he's in a good spot, but we've got to push him. Man, he needs reps, reps, reps."
View photos from Day 6 of Detroit Lions training camp on Tuesday July 30, 2024.
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (4), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions center Bryan Hudson (64) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70), Detroit Lions guard Ike Boettger (78), Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71), Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 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 30, 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 30, 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 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 30, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
PLAN FOR COMINSKY
It was tough to see veteran defensive lineman John Cominsky go down with a severe right knee injury in Tuesday's practice that will cost him the regular season, but following surgery and rehab the Lions aren't closing the door for a possible return by Cominsky if they make a playoff run.
"Well, (GM) Brad (Holmes) and I talked about this last night and certainly Cominsky, that was what we talked about. Yeah, we're optimistic and look, if anybody can do it, anybody can come back and be ready to go late in the season, we know Cominsky will do everything he can to get back," Campbell said. "So that's – tentatively that's kind of what we're thinking."
If the Lions wait to place Cominsky on injured reserve until final cuts at the end of camp he will be eligible to be designated for return at some point later in the season.
