With training camp ramping up, it’s time to take a look at the latest news from the Lions. With this year’s unusual circumstances, information might be tougher to come by, especially from an ultra-secretive organization like the Lions, but we’ll see. I believe they are planning to do some sort of streaming of their practices, and I believe the media will still be able to report from practice.

QB: There was a bit of a scare recently as QB Matthew Stafford was briefly placed on the COVID-19 reserve list after a positive test. His follow up tests were negative and it was determined that the positive test was a false positive. He’s fine, but there was some concern for a few days and some people even wondered if he would consider opting out.

RB: Everyone is saying the right things about rookie RB DeAndre Swift when it comes to his virtual offseason work. Now we wait to see how it translates to the field. I’m not sure what is going on with the jersey numbers but as of now the team web site says Swift will wear number 6. I suppose with no actual preseason games, he can wait until the regular season to be assigned a legal number for a running back. The Lions had a handful of players in for tryouts earlier this week and one notable name that stood out was RB CJ Prosise. He is a former Seahawk so there is a connection with the Lions current OC Darrell Bevell. I figure this was just due diligence and having an emergency list ready if injuries hit in camp. The Lions typically shake up the bottom part of the roster throughout camp, but of course the roster has already been reduced to 80 so I expect more stability this year.

WR/TE: There were brief appearances on the COVID-19 list for WR Kenny Golladay and TE TJ Hockenson. Per NFL policy, this meant they either tested positive or were in close proximity with someone who tested positive. Both came off of the list but unlike with Stafford, we do not have any additional details. We’ll assume they are fine. In all the Lions placed 8 players on the list. WR Geronimo Allison opted out, so by rule he is not eligible to play this season. He would have completed for a backup job. Also, as part of the roster cut from 90 to 80, WR Chris Lacy and WR Travis Fulgham were waived. Fulgham was a 6^th round pick last year. You don’t expect greatness from a 6^th rounder, but to give up on him after a year means this was another miss by GM Bob Quinn. I think WR Marvin Hall stands to benefit the most as he could win the 4^th receiver job where he excelled with big plays last year.

K/DST: I’m not sure if I had mentioned this in earlier reports, but this will be an important camp for PK Matt Prater as the Lions have two punters competing in camp to replace Sam Martin who left as a free agent. Whoever wins the punting job will almost surely be the holder for Prater. There is also a legitimate battle for the long snapper job. When we get to week 1 Prater could be part of a unit with very limited reps together. On defense, there haven’t been any significant roster issues with the various reserve lists. A backup defensive tackle opted out, a backup safety has a 3 game suspension, a couple guys were on the COVID list, a backup edge player is still on PUP. I mentioned Swift earlier wearing number 6. Apparently rookie CB Jeff Okudah is wearing number 1 for now.

I usually try to attend a practice at the Lions facility each summer, but that won’t be possible this year. Regardless, I will have more updates in my next report later this month.

End.