The Detroit Lions are getting healthy at the right time.
The team has suffered a number of injuries to some key players throughout camp, but head coach Dan Campbell said Tuesday most of those guys are expected back next week when the preseason is over and the preparation shifts to the season opener Sept. 8 at Ford Field against the Los Angeles Rams.
Among the players Campbell mentioned as expected back after the preseason concludes against Pittsburgh on Saturday were running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring), guard Kevin Zeitler (shoulder), tackle Dan Skipper (ankle), tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring) and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (finger).
"We're about to get a whole group of guys back, hopefully Sunday, and then they'll get next week's practice before we get ready for the Rams and then we do Rams practice," Campbell said. "So, Gibbs falls into that boat, he's trending the right way. Wish we had more practice with him, but as far as the health of it, he is healing and he's on schedule to be back and get his legs back under him and we'll see where he's at."
Campbell said he expects rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold (pectoral) back on the practice field mid-week next week and also said veteran defensive lineman DJ Reader, who has been out all camp rehabbing a torn quad tendon, could get back on the field for the individual portion of practice next week.
It's certainly good news on the injury front for the Lions as the regular season is fast approaching.
ROSTER CUTS
Like 31 other teams around the league, GM Brad Holmes and the Lions have to trim their roster from 90 players to an initial 53 by 4 p.m. on Aug. 27. That's always a tough time for every front office and coaching staff.
Asked about the looming cuts on Tuesday, Campbell said he, Holmes and the coaching staff had a roster meeting on Monday, and he estimated there were about five or six spots on the 53 still being competed for.
"I told the team this morning, for a number of those guys that there is still open spots here, so if you want it, go get it," Campbell said.
One player Campbell highlighted as being in that mix was undrafted edge rusher Isaac Ukwu out of Ole Miss, who has had a very steady training camp and preseason.
"I just bring up a guy like Ukwu, man," Campbell said unprompted. "When he got in here in the spring, he was last on the depth chart, it was, 'Well where can this guy play? He's not the biggest guy, he's not really a SAM, is he a defensive end?'
"And he's just steadily gotten better, and better, and better, and he plays much bigger than he is. He plays longer than his length says. Every time we give him an opportunity, he just shows up. He's just an example of some guys that we've got our eyes on. So, there's still some spots available here."
BACKUP QB PLAN
The Lions would have liked to start quarterback Hendon Hooker last week in Kansas City, but he only had one practice leading into the game because of the concussion he suffered the week prior in his preseason debut. Campbell didn't think that was fair for him or the other players on the second-team unit.
This week is a different story.
"There were some real good things in that (Kansas City) game and there were some real bad things which doesn't surprise me with where he's at," Campbell said. "So certainly, we want to get him a real good look. We'd love to get him a lot of reps this week.
"I think the idea would be, you'd love to start him this week. I'd like to start him, and then it's just a matter of how much does he play? Is it a couple of series and then Nate (Sudfeld) goes in and then he's back? Or is it a quarter or is it a half? But he's going to get a really good look. He's going to get a lot of reps this week because he needs them."
Hooker continues to battle Nate Sudfeld for the backup quarterback job. Hooker has completed 17-of-24 passes for 186 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and a 93.4 rating. He also has a rushing touchdown (7 yards) to his credit.
