Lions rookies make standout plays in workouts against Giants

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions’ two joint practices with the N.Y. Giants this week provide quality reps against an actual opponent. While valuable for veterans, the work may be more beneficial for the rookies and younger players.

Many of the Lions’ young players stood out on the first day of work on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs impressed with a pair of touchdowns — the first to the right, the second to the left.

“You guys have all seen, he’s got big bursts. He can get to the second level and make the guy miss and get to the third level and maybe hit a home run,’’ left tackle Taylor Decker said. “It’s nice to have a yin and yang at the running position, not to say David (Montgomery) can’t change speed at the second level. 

Decker said based on what he’s seen Gibbs will be used  in the pass game and screens. 

“He’s definitely got a unique skill set. He’s going to be a good player,’’ Decker said.

Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta continued with a solid day on Wednesday with a touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone in team drills.

Rookie WR Dylan Drummond, the undrafted free agent from Eastern Michigan, continued to make the case that he belongs on the roster. 

“It was good to see (everyone) and I think ultimately that’s what you want — you want to see growth,’’ coach Dan Campbell said prior to Wednesday’s practice. “There again you’re not looking for these massive jumps, you just want to know with a different level of competition and everything goes up and they continue to grow and take another step up. I felt that with some of our young guys which is encouraging.’’

He reeled off five rookies that made an impression on him Tuesday. The list started with LaPorta and included Gibbs, Drummond, defensive back Brian Branch and cornerback Starling Thomas. Of the five, Thomas is also an undrafted free agent.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys, I feel like are growing,’’ Campbell said.

The Lions face the Giants in the preseason opener at 7 p.m. on Friday at Ford Field. Next week the Jacksonville Jaguars will be at the LIons’ facility for joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday.

NOTES: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer attended Wednesday’s practice. She was wearing a Lions’ shirt. … The Lions signed RB Devine Ozigbo and waived WR Avery Davis. … WR Denzel Mims returned to practice.