Week 1 of the regular season is finally here as the Detroit Lions prepare to host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch of last year's Wild Card playoff game at Ford Field.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell kicked off the week by speaking to the media Monday. Here are all the key questions from his press conference:
How exciting is it to finally be into the regular season mode?
"Man, we're excited, I'm excited. The staff is excited, the players, everybody," Campbell said. "And I know our fans are ready to roll so this is going to be great."
For Campbell, it's now all about the process. That was his message to the team Monday morning. No more talk about the Super Bowl that is so far into the future. Focus on the day and the things they can control, and the rest will take of itself.
Campbell was excited the roster was nearly set – Detroit still has one open roster spot – and the players in Monday's meeting room are ones they are going to navigate through 18 grueling NFL weeks with. He also talked about the uncertainty that comes with Week 1. Where does Detroit stack up against another really good NFC opponent in the Rams? Where do they still need to improve? All questions they'll start getting answers to Sunday night at Ford Field.
How eager is Campbell to see some of the new elements of his football team in action?
The two areas that jump out the most are the revamped cornerback room and some of the new elements along the defensive line. Campbell believes it's the best defensive line group they've had going into a season in his tenure in Detroit.
When talking Monday about the defensive line, Campbell brought up veteran Levi Onwuzurike more than once. The Lions are expecting a lot out of the fourth-year former second-round pick.
"Levi's had – this has been since spring. He came in and he clearly looked better. He looked healthy. He's big, he's strong," Campbell said. "There's no indication that this is not holding up. He looks just as strong and powerful as ever. I think it's here to stay, so nothing's going to tell me that it's not and that's really been the hold back is his body, trusting his body, and then once his body's going to hold up, now he's been able to bank the reps.
"He's continued to grow and get better as a football player because now he's got everything that God gave him, he can use. So, he's in a good place right now and yeah, I think he's very much going to be a part of this. He's one of those pieces I think of when it comes time to closing the pocket down on the quarterback, I think he's one of those guys. I really do."
Detroit's secondary has dealt with some injuries in training camp and the projected starters don't have a lot of time on task together. They believe they are much more talented there heading into this season, but will the limited time playing together in camp and the crowd noise they know they'll have to communicate through Sunday night affect them at all?
"I've said it before, even if we're all wrong, we're alright," Campbell said. "Even if it's, 'Man, that's not the right call,' if we're all on the same page and we all are playing the same call, then we'll be just fine. Being on the same page, communicating with one another, making a point of emphasis, really pushing that this week will be important.
"Because they're going to try to disguise some things on offense. They're going to try to see if they can unravel our defense, that's what they did a good job of last year, and so there again, we'll be tested on the back end as well."
How strange is it not having to prepare for Aaron Donald in the middle of the Rams' defensive line?
Campbell flashed a little smile knowing he doesn't have to prepare for the future Hall of Famer.
"You needed to know where he was at all times, really on all downs," Campbell said. "It was constantly – you were shifting and motioning just for him, and you're damn near doing it every play."
Campbell was also quick to point out some of the young talent the Rams have pivoted to and some of the problems they can cause - players like Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse.
"It's nice not to have to necessarily worry about (Donald), but the guys they have over there are young and hungry, high motor," Campbell said. "Man, they've got an influx of youth that's pretty damn talented."
Good thing Detroit has one of the best offensive lines in football.
View photos of the Detroit Lions' initial 53-man roster heading into the 2024 season.
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
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 kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 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 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 Carlton Davis III (23) 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 cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) celebrates after a sack during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
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 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Brandon Joseph (40) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 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 26, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) 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 an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Michael Niese (62) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (59) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 1, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 25, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 12, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader (98) before an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 27, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 14, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 26, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/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 tackle Dan Skipper (70) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 20, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) during an NFL preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 24, 2024 in Detroit. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 2, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler (71) during training camp at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on July 24, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Any injury updates?
It sounds like the only real worry is safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.
"(Melifonwu) would be the only one right now who's still not sure," Campbell said. "Still not sure on him. We're going to try to get him moving around a little bit today and tomorrow, and see where he's at. Everybody else, we're good."
Melifonwu played in Detroit's second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, but was out for the rest of training camp after that. It's unclear what his injury is, but the first injury report of the year will be out Wednesday afternoon.
Campbell did not address the status of defensive lineman DJ Reader after saying the goal was for Reader to make his Lions debut Week 2 against the Bucs. He missed all of training camp while rehabbing a quad injury.
