East Rutherford, New Jersey: Lions head coach Dan Campbell preaches to his players all the time about being a resilient football team, and tackle Penei Sewell thinks the offense was a great example of that over the last two days of joint practices with the New York Giants.
Sewell admitted after Tuesday's second joint practice the offense didn't live up to their standards in Monday's practice. Tuesday was much better for that side of the ball and that was the biggest takeaway Sewell had from the two days of work in New Jersey ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Giants.
"I think the most important thing I've learned about our offense is that we have the ability to bounce back," Sewell said. "We didn't have the best first day and we were able to come out here today and be better. That's what I like to see."
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs all made big plays for the Lions' offense Tuesday in team periods, and quarterback Jared Goff was pressured to the point of it probably being a sack just once in a team period, from Kayvon Thibodeaux vs. Sewell.
Sewell, 23, is arguably the best tackle in the NFL in just his fourth season. He won't play in Thursday's preseason game, but he got some great work over the last two days going against talented Giants edge rushers like Thibodeaux and Brian Burns.
"It's definitely something different," Sewell said of the different skillsets of Thibodeaux and Burns vs. Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who Sewell goes against every day in Lions practice. "He (Thibodeaux) has added more power to his game. I definitely felt that out there. He's gotten better and it was great work both days.
"I go against Hutch every day and at times you kind of lose your progress a little bit just because you're going against the same guys for like a couple months now. To see our work against another team you can really see how far, not only myself, but the team and the offense as a whole how far we've grown."
MOSELEY OUT AGAIN
Emmanuel Moseley simply can't catch a break.
After tearing his ACL early in the 2022 season in San Francisco, Moseley rehabbed and signed in the offseason in Detroit ahead of the 2023 season, but just two plays into his Lions' tenure he tore the ACL in his other knee. Again he rehabbed to get back, and was taking first-team reps at slot cornerback the last two weeks in training camp, only to suffer another significant injury Monday, this time to his pectoral muscle.
"Yeah, it's tough. That's tough," Campbell said before practice Tuesday. "He's the one that has put so much work into coming back from two ACLs and it's frustrating, but he knows. Look, you've got two decisions, you rally one more time or you say, 'You know what, enough's enough.'
"And my gut's going to tell me that he's going to rally again, and nothing says that he may not be ready by the end of the year. I mean, we're still trying to figure all those things out, so you never know."
Don't forget just last year C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a severe pectoral injury Week 2 against Seattle and was able to rejoin the team at the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.
"Everything happens for a reason, and you don't always see it in the moment, but this could be one of those to get the legs where he needs them to get to, by the end of the year it was part of the process," Campbell said. "I don't know but we're going to work through that, and we all love E-man, respect the amount of work he puts into it, the type of teammate he is, and he'll come back from this."
View photos from Day 1 of Detroit Lions joint training camp practice with the New York Giants on Monday August 5, 2024.
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68), Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 5, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
PRESEASON EXPECTATIONS
Don't expect to see Goff and a number of key starters play in Thursday's preseason opener. Campbell said Goff won't be playing when talking to reporters Tuesday.
"I've got a little bit of an idea," Campbell said when asked about starters' workload Thursday night. "Certainly some of the guys we know we're going to count on during the season, I don't see them necessarily playing and if they do, not very many reps. But our young guys are going to get a lot of these, and developmental players are going to get a ton of these reps."
EXTRA POINT
Sam LaPorta did not take part in either joint practice this week. Campbell said his talented second-year tight end is dealing with a minor hamstring injury.
