Defensive day: The Lions took part in a scrimmage Wednesday with the first-team offense and first-team defense facing off against one another all practice in live periods. It was good work for both units as most of them aren't expected to play in Saturday's preseason finale.
I thought it was a terrific day overall for the defense, who ended up winning the scrimmage 32-27. The first-team offense didn't find the end zone until their seventh possession of the scrimmage. The offense picked it up in the second half, scoring on four straight possessions at one point (3 TD, 1 FG) but were too far behind to catch the defense in the end.
Injuries: All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell left practice with a left foot injury. He was able to walk off the field on his own power. Running back Craig Reynolds also left practice with what the team described as a lower body injury.
Pick-six: Veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III, who the Lions traded a third-round pick for this offseason, is set to start at one of the outside cornerback spots this year and he made a huge play Wednesday stepping in front of a Jared Goff pass intended for running back David Montgomery, returning it for a touchdown. The Lions are expecting a lot of plays like that from Davis this season.
Also recording interceptions Wednesday were linebacker Alex Anzalone (off Goff) and safety Chelen Garnes (off Hendon Hooker).
Rotating in: Starting right guard Kevin Zeitler is expected back at practice next week after missing a couple weeks with a shoulder injury. The Lions have rotated different players into that right guard spot in Zeitler's place and Wednesday it was undrafted rookie free agent Kingsley Eguakun.
It will be interesting to see who ultimately makes the roster as backups along the interior of the o-line with Eguakun, Kayode Awosika and Michael Niese all in the mix. That's not including rookie Christian Mahogany, who has missed all of camp with an illness.
St. Brown's numbers: The first-team offense had 11 possessions in the scrimmage and scored three touchdowns and two field goals. To no one's surprise, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was the offense's most productive player. I had him down for 10 catches for right around 112 yards. No touchdowns, however. Goff threw touchdowns to wide receiver Kalif Raymond, tight end Parker Hesse and tight end Brock Wright.
Big problem: Defensive lineman Alim McNeill terrorized the offense Wednesday. He lived in the backfield. He was stuffing runs, pressuring Goff in the pass game and even batted down a pass. The offensive line didn't have a lot of answers for him all afternoon. He's had a great camp and is poised to have a monster season inside for the Lions' defense.
Vaki's voice: Head coach Dan Campbell told the media Wednesday morning that Sione Vaki probably has the best voice he's ever heard of any rookie who's taken part in the rookie performances. Asked about it after practice and asked to sing a little something for the media, Vaki obliged. It was pretty impressive.
Secure the snap: One thing Hooker has had to adjust to in the NFL is taking snaps under center and calling plays in the huddle. He didn't do a lot of that at Tennessee. I counted three dropped snaps from him in the scrimmage. It's tough when they are rotating different centers in the game with the second unit, but that's still job No. 1 of the quarterback – secure the snap.
