Cornerback Darius Slay and defensive tackle Damon Harrison Sr. reported for training camp with the rest of their teammates on Wednesday for the start of training camp after sitting out the offseason training program.
The two veteran defenders won't be on the practice field for Thursday's first full-squad practice, however. The two have been placed on the non-football injury list to begin camp, along with defensive tackle Darius Kilgo.
"We made the announcement earlier this week about three guys on PUP," Lions head coach Matt Patricia said in his introductory press conference before Thursday's practice. "Then we'll place three more guys today on NFI, it's another different designation tag – Darius Kilgo, Damon Harrison and Darius Slay – just another tag that we're allowed to use when we get to camp so that guys when they report to camp if we feel need a little more time to before they're thrown into individual drills, so they go out prepared and away we go, we're going to do that with them. Just (make sure they're) physically ready to go."
Slay, 28, was a Pro Bowler for the second straight season last year, and led the team with three interceptions. He has produced 91 pass defenses since entering the NFL in 2013, the most pass defenses by a player over the last six seasons.
The Lions traded for Harrison, 30, midseason last year, and he was a terrific fit in the center of Patricia's defense. Harrison led all NFL DTs with 52 solo tackles and 81 total tackles in the 2018 season.
Defensive end Trey Flowers, wide receiver Tommylee Lewis and linebacker Steve Longa will also be sitting out Thursday's practice, as all three are currently on Active/Physically Unable to Perform to start camp.
