Practice report: The Lions concluded their second joint practice with the Giants Tuesday and next up is Thursday's preseason opener for both clubs. Not taking part in practice Tuesday with minor injuries suffered during Monday's practice were linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and guard Kevin Zeitler.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley unfortunately suffered a severe pectoral injury Monday that's going to 'knock him out for a while,' per head coach Dan Campbell.
It was good to see rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold back on the field Tuesday after he left Monday to be evaluated for a concussion. He cleared protocol and was good to go Tuesday.
Defensive pass-rush drills: I made it a point to watch the Lions defensive line vs. Giants offensive line in pass-rush drills Tuesday. There's a lot expected of those guys upfront for Detroit, and if this defense is going to be better in 2024, they have to lead the charge. I charted every rep and had the Giants winning 22 and the Lions 16 with a couple draws.
By far the most dominant player by either team in the drill was Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill. I had him winning three of his four reps in dominating fashion by walking the offensive lineman right back into the quarterback. He's looking for a new contract, so offensive linemen beware.
Mostly keeping the peace: After a Monday practice that was reportedly littered with scuffle after scuffle between these two teams, the peace was mostly kept until the very end when there were some post-whistle skirmishes late. The first was punches thrown by Lions safety Kerby Joseph on Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. Aidan Hutchinson got into it with the Giants right tackle on the next play. Following that, Levi Onwuzurike got into it with some Giants offensive linemen and at that point Campbell had enough and told Onwuzurike to get off the field. Onwuzurike had a sack in a team period and was pretty good in the one-on-ones, but he's got to keep a calmer head about him or it will cost them in games.
Three-play sequence: During one of the first team periods I was impressed by a three-play sequence that showed just how explosive the Lions could be at the skill positions this season. The first was a catch by wide receiver Jameson Williams in the right flat after he went into motion and beat the defender to the spot. He made a nice move to avoid a tackle along the sideline and it went for a good gain. Next was a nice run by Jahmyr Gibbs to the right, breaking through a nice hole and making a move to avoid a tackle at the second level. The third was a crosser by wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown that went for another big gain down the left sideline.
"Knowing that you are out on the field with other playmakers you don't have to make the play every play," St. Brown said after practice when I asked him about that sequence of plays. "One of us is going to make the play though. It's nice to know you're not the only guy out there that has to make a play to help the team win."
WR battle: Daurice Fountain is really gaining the respect of the coaching staff. He was with St. Brown and Williams in the first three-receiver set of the team period Tuesday. Another player getting some first-team reps over the last two days was Kaden Davis. Both have made plays here in joint practices too and are players to keep an eye on in Thursday's preseason game.
Rookie vs. rookie: Right before the skirmish between Joseph and Nabers, Arnold was matched up one-on-one with the fellow rookie down the right sideline on a deep ball and forced an incompletion with some sticky coverage. Arnold gave up some plays in camp early but has really learned from those. The kid can cover and has earned his first-team reps.
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)
Bates watch: Lions kicker Jake Bates kicked in practice Tuesday. From my vantage point standing behind the opposite end zone I couldn't see the exact yardages, but he took nine kicks varying from what looked like around 40 to 60 yards and he was 6-of-9. He made two of the last three from the farthest distances.
Showing off his hands: When we think of Lions running backs and the passing game we immediately think of Gibbs and his versatility. He caught 52 balls as a rookie and the expectation is for him to be an even bigger part of the passing game this season. But veteran David Montgomery showed off his hands on the first play of a team red-zone period, beating a Giants linebacker on a wheel route and making a great over-the-shoulder catch for a touchdown. He caught just 16 passes last year, but on that play he looked like a seasoned receiver.
Run game: Both Gibbs and Montgomery made some plays in the run game Tuesday too, and that was good to see from a Lions run game that's hasn't really broken out so far in practices in Allen Park. There were a few nice holes and nice runs Tuesday, but also some plays by the Giants in the backfield, including a play by Dexter Lawrence standing Montgomery up right after quarterback Jared Goff handed him the ball. It's still a work in progress, but Tuesday was something to build off.
