Detroit Lions – Page 23

Lions open training camp with high expectations, a few changes and injury news

ALLEN PARK — Lions opened training camp on Sunday, with a few new players, two new coordinators, defensive injuries and the same huge expectations as in recent years.

Coach Dan Campbell said he’s still as enthusiastic as ever.

“The message to the team is what it’s been all along. It’s about who we are, what we believe in and staying hungry, staying hungry. Put the work in, we cannot be content,’’ Campbell said on Sunday. “I believe we’ll be just fine. We have the right guys and we’ve been building and improving for a long time. Our dudes will be ready to go.’’

While expectations from the outside may be lower because of the new coordinators — John Morton on offense replaces Ben Johnson who is head coach of the Bears and Kelvin Sheppard moves up to defensive coordinator replacing Aaron Glenn who is now head coach of the Jets.

Campbell gets it but doesn’t believe it.

“First of all, it doesn’t matter what I say, it’s already been written. So that’s coming. That’s already in there. I’m not going to change that, none of us will. A loss, it’s coming, we don’t do well on offense, it’s coming. Something happens defensively, it’s coming,’’ Campbell said. “That narrative is coming, it’s written, it’s done. I have no control over that.’’

However, that is not what he thinks personally.

“Yeah, I don’t think it’s what it’s played out to be. I’ve said this before it hurts to lose two guys who have been here from the beginning, got a lot of trust and faith in,’’ Campbell said.

“There’s a lot of communication that goes on that’s not even said because once you get to that you understand each other, a look, a nod, body demeanor says it all,’’ he added. “That’s just a little bit of what we’ve got to gain together between myself, Johnnie Morton and Shep. That takes a minute, takes time, we’ll get it, it will come.’’

And it starts to take more shape in training camp.

Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are not concerned about the change.

“Obviously they’re different people. Ben was an awesome OC and he’s going to be an even better head coach, but I think we’ve got a damn good OC in coach Johnnie Mo too. They coach a little different,’’ Montgomery said. “Johnny Mo is a little more verbal and vocal, but I love him.”

Gibbs said not a lot has changed – tweaks here and there – but nothing major.

INJURY NEWS

Defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike is out for the season following ACL surgery. “Levi’s surgery, it was significant, but it needed to be done,’’ Campbell said.

Left tackle Taylor Decker had surgery to clean up his shoulder. Campbell expects him to return after the Hall of Fame preseason game on July 31.

Defensive end Josh Paschal also had surgery. The plan is to start working him in around Labor Day.

Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw left practice early and is being evaluated for a chest injury.

(Up next: Day Two of training camp on Monday. First preseason game is July 31 against the Los Angeles Chargers at the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.)

Lions Dan Campbell on Frank Ragnow: He’ll be missed but the train rolls on

ALLEN PARK — Coach Dan Campbell choked up a bit addressing the retirement of veteran Lions center Frank Ragnow..

“Frank’s been an unbelievable teammate, football player, man of the community,’’ Campbell said at his Thursday press conference prior to the final session of OTAs.

Ragnow, 29, announced earlier this week that he has decided to retire.

“He’ll be missed, but the train rolls on. And it’s the next man up. So we will be ready to go when camp hits. We will be ready to go. We have plenty of versatility there, we like the guys we drafted, we like our free agents that we brought in, the young guys Kingsley being one of those guys among others,’’ Campbell said.

Ragnow, 29, was a first-round draft pick by the Lions in 2018 starting16 games as a rookie. In seven years he started 96 games, missing significant time in 2021.

“I’ve got all the respect for Frank Ragnow, I love him to death. Quite frankly some of this stuff about contract talk is disrespectful, that’s not what this was about,’’ Campbell said. “Love you Frank, appreciate you.’

The coach said he was aware Ragnow was contemplating his future.

“We did our best to give him his space and let him sort it out which he did,’’ Campbell said. “It was kind of one of those, you’re going to come to a decision at some point here, we’d certainly like it before the offseason is out. He did and it was time.

“Listen, whenever you know it’s your time, it is the right time because it’s not fair to him and it’s not fair to his teammates or anybody else,’’ Campbell said. “I respect the hell out of him for the decision, it’s not easy to do. But he knows himself, I’ll always respect that.’’

It was a surprising announcement in one way because Ragnow had one of his best seasons in 2024 and seemed as healthy as he had been in a long time.

“You’re like, he’s in his prime right now. But if you’re him you have to remember the amount of time and work and details spent on taking care of his body – the rehab that goes into it before he even trains – you’re talking hours and hours,’’ the coach said.

Ragnow is the second starting offensive lineman to leave this offseason. The Lions lost right guard Kevin Zeitler to free agency.

Campbell is confident in the options they have to quickly get up to speed on the line.

“That’s why Hank Fraley is the coach in that room. He’s done a helluva job developing talent. He’s going to get these guys right, whoever it is,’’ Campbell said.

Possibilities include rookies Miles Frazier and Tate Ratledge (second round pick) and Miles Frazier (fifth round). Campbell also mentioned Equakon Kingsley who joined the team as an undrafted free agent center following the 2024 draft.

Graham Glasgow, who started 16 games at left guard last season, has the flexibility to play guard or center. He started all games at center in 2018 and started at center and right guard in 2022.

“We’re going to have options, that’s why we’re excited about training camp. We’re going to find this out, we’re going to let these guys go at it,’’ Campbell said. “We just signed Trystan Colon, there’s another option. Don’t know a lot about him because he just got here. We’re going to have plenty. We still have (Kayode Awosika) here. We’ve got guys.’’

Lions Jameson Williams ready for a bigger role entering his 4th season

Big change in number for Jamo who is now No. 1

ALLEN PARK — After Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams took a huge leap from 2023 to the 2024 season, the obvious question is what is next for the speedster.

Williams finished last season with 58 catches for 1,001 yards with seven receiving and one rushing touchdown. In 2023, he finished with just 354 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.

His speed was on display on Friday during the team’s third session of Organized Team Activities. More is expected of him this season.

“I guess going into Year 4 you know I’ve got a little pep in my step, becoming a vet, moving over from the rookie stage,’’ Williams said. “I’m just ready to play more football and be more consistent for my team.’’

Coach Dan Campbell has noticed a difference in him this spring.

“Oh, my God, he’s got a ton of growth left. And you know, he’s listening, he’s had a good spring, and it’s another one – I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves in OTAs, but I mean there’s so much versatility with him,’’ Campbell said on Friday. “There are so many things that we can do just with his routes on the outside. I mean, we can do things inside, but just with his speed, and he’s gotten so much stronger. His ability to stop, put his foot in the ground. Man, when you can run like you can run, and now you’re beginning to – where man, you can stop on a dime, I mean, you talk about a hard cover.’’

Campbell said the sky’s the limit for Williams who changed his number from 9 to No. 1.

“He’s exactly where we want him to be right now at this point, man. He’s been here, he’s grinding, he’s getting better. (Lions wide receivers coach) Scottie’s (Montgomery) freaking grinding him, it’s awesome,’’ Campbell said. “But we expect him to have a huge season. We really do, man. He’s going to be one of those guys that we’re going to lean on this year, and it is really going to be big for us. And all he’s got to do is just keep working like he’s working and, and we’ll be good.”

Williams, who is 24, said he worked on building his strength after consulting with others but basically he said he feels the same, noting that he has gained about 5 pounds.

“Ever since I was small I’ve been into working hard as a kid. I always had the mindset to just go out there and be the best, work the hardest. My dad always texts me ‘outwork everybody no matter who it is, outwork everybody,’’’ Williams said.

Quarterback Jared Goff has noticed a difference too.

He’s already made (the next step), it’s been awesome to see. He’s done a helluva job – continue to do what he’s done, just get more consistent,’’ Goff said. “He’s working hard, he’s being a leader now. It’s fun to see him grow into that and show guys how he wants to do things. He’s talked to me a ton, it’s fun.’’

Williams feels good about his new role as a leader.

“The young guys come to me about a lot of stuff and I actually feel good because I know what they’re asking me,’’ Williams said. When I was at their stage I had guys I could go to and they helped me with things.’’