Lions Lowdown

ALLEN PARK — Aidan Hutchinson, entering his third season as a defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions, expects his growth as a player to continue to evolve.

He spent time changing certain routines in the offseason before training camp started a week ago.

“I really got my routines down with my diet, with a lot of my recovery, with a lot of the mental work I do as well. I feel like mind, body, spirit is getting those three facets of my life under control and operating at a high level is what I was focusing on,’’ Hutchinson said on Wednesday.

He hopes it sets him up for plenty of success this season.

The first-round pick in 2022 didn’t ease his way into the NFL He was on fire from the get-go as a rookie, finishing that season with 9.5 sacks. That number jumped to 11.5 in 2023. Often he might not have earned the sack statistic, but he’s the one whose play led to it.

In camp he is fine-tuning his game by lining up against right tackle Penei Sewell every day and learning from a new veteran teammate.

“It’s great, (Sewell and I) really do go back and forth every day. I get him a couple times, he may get me a couple times the next day. It’s a lot of fun,’’ Hutchinson said. “To get that work against that good of a player, it’s only going to help me in season, against a lot of the tougher O-lines we’re playing against. We’ve been going against each other for three years now.’’

Also this season he has a new linemate in seven-year veteran Marcus Davenport who signed with the Lions as a free agent after spending last season with the Vikings. They can make each other better.

“Every guy kind of sees the game a little differently. We were sitting there yesterday watching film, I was picking his brain,’’ Hutchinson said. “He sees things differently than I do in terms of how his process works pre-snap and how he works during the play. It’s funny how different guys minds operate but we’re all doing the same thing.’’

Coach Dan Campbell gave the team a break on Wednesday with a shorter unpadded practice that was more of a walk-through. That came after the first two days of pads.

“I think Dan has a great mind when it comes to that,’’ said Hutchinson of his coach who played 10 seasons in the NFL.

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions defense had a good day, coming down with three interceptions on Tuesday, the sixth day of training camp.

Rookies Ennis Rakestraw and Loren Strickland each had one, with veteran linebacker Derrick Barnes pulling in another. One was courtesy of Jared Goff while two were from Hendon Hooker. 

“Getting the ball that’s what it’s all about, playing defense is all about the ball. We were able to get our hands on the ball three times today. Unfortunately I messed up my opportunity yesterday,’’ said veteran cornerback Amik Robertson after camp.  “We just come back at it, tomorrow and the next day. Try to continue being consistent getting our hands on the ball. Once we do it in practice, it becomes normal in the game.’’

Robertson, who signed as a free agent in March, is just one element of the new-look defensive backfield. Veteran corner Carlton Davis also signed with the Lions in the spring.

Then they used their first two draft picks on corners — Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw — who looked comfortable during their second day in pads.

“They are competitive guys. They don’t mess around for rookies. They’re trying to win the rep and trying to get better,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday. “They’re both athletic. So you feel like the first day (in pads), it wasn’t too big for them. They were ready for the challenge. Do they have a lot of work to do? Yes, they do but it was very encouraging.’’

The camaraderie in the defensive backs room has grown quickly.

“It’s been great, we’re playing together, we believe in one another, we have high expectations for one another, that’s expected,’’ Robertson said. “We understand it’s competition. We all have a job. We come in every day to compete and make the team better.’’

Campbell loves the competition.

“That’s what every team would hope for. You want that at every position, you know the ability to have guys that do multiple jobs, that do have versatility,’’ Campbell said.

Tuesday was the second day in pads. Campbell expected the intensity would pick up over Monday.

“I feel like as a defense we were going to come out here amped up regardless,’’ Robertson said.

NOTE: Defensive lineman John Cominsky was carted off the field during practice. He has a right knee injury, per the team.