Tag: atlanta falcons

Lions coach Dan Campbell: ‘We’re back to reality, back in the mud’

Coach hates losing but likes where his team is

ALLEN PARK — Despite a host of injuries and a disappointing overtime loss in the home opener, Lions coach Dan Campbell is not hanging his head. That’s not who he is.

The Lions (1-1) have got work to do with the Atlanta Falcons (2-0) coming to town on Sunday.

“I hate losing, but I love this. I just feel that this is what we’re all about. We’re back to reality, we’re back in the mud. It’s doom and gloom outside of this building and this world so let’s hunker down and go back to work,’’ Campbell said on Wednesday.

“Let’s get it back to what we do well. It’s going to take all of us to win – all three phases. I know our guys, I know our coaches, this is challenge accepted. I feel really good, I do,” the coach said. “If we don’t get back to our identity this team will take your soul so that’s the motivation.’’

Safely C.J. Gardner-Johnson (torn pec) and linebacker James Houston (fibula) are out but Campbell said there’s a chance — he was not guaranteeing anything — the two could be back by the end of the season. Both are on injured reserve.

Veteran Tracy Walker will step up at safety. 

“We’re fortunate to have depth in a number of areas and that’s one of them at that position,’’ Campbell said. “Having a guy like Tracy who’s got time on task, somebody we have a lot of faith in, trust in. That alleviates a lot of pressure and stress for us.’’

Running back workhorse David Montgomery (thigh) is day to day.

“We’re going to do what we do. Our focus is on how we’ attack this opponent more than the backs we have,’’ Campbell said.

Can rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs fill his shoes?
“We’ll see,’’ Campbell said.

The coach said his focus is on Sunday but when it comes down to making decisions on some players’ availability the Lions have a short week next week, playing at Green Bay on Thursday night, Sept. 28.

“There are a couple guys if it’s close enough, do you try to play them this week knowing that maybe if you do then they’re probably out for Green Bay anyway?’’ Campbell said without identifying those players.

Those who did not practice on Wednesday: St. Brown (toe), Montgomery (thigh), LT Taylor Decker (ankle), S Kerby Joseph (hip), CB Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) and G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee). Also, WR Joshy Reynolds (groin) was limited in practice.

“A lot of them are day to day. It’s going to feel that way for a little bit here. It’s business as usual,  back to work here,’’ Campbell said.

Lions’ John Cominsky says new $8.5 million contract ‘a dream come true’

ALLEN PARK — John Cominsky took the podium on Wednesday at the Lions facility wearing a black T-shirt with the words: “One year of focus and hustle can change your life forever.” His agent gave him the T-shirt one year ago. Its message was loud and clear.

The defensive lineman, who had a career season with the Lions in 2022, was rewarded with a two-year contract worth $8.5 million including a $2.4 million signing bonus and with $4 million guaranteed.

He took a short break from his family vacation in Naples, Fla., to fly to Detroit to sign the deal.

“It’s a dream come true,’’ Cominsky said at a press conference on Wednesday.

He thanked everyone in the Lions organization for believing and supporting him.

“Until you’re in this building you don’t understand the family dynamic,’’ Cominsky said. 

After a solid season last year — and signs that the Lions are on the right track — Cominsky wanted to return to Detroit. He had interest from a few other teams.

He said he was already 99.9 percent leaning toward a return to the Lions when he got a text from Coach Dan Campbell that said: “I’m dying to have you here.” 

That text was the clincher, he told his wife that Detroit was it. He said his family is on Cloud Nine.

The Lions claimed the 27-year-old Cominsky off waivers last May after he had asked the Atlanta Falcons to be released. Last season he had career-highs in sacks (4), tackles (30) and quarterback hits (12) while playing with an injured thumb. It’s all healed now and he said he’s looking forward to playing with two hands. 

He spent the first three seasons of his career (2019-21) with the Atlanta Falcons after they selected him in the fourth round (135th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Charleston University.

Lions CB Jeff Okudah needs reps as he returns from Achilles injury

Jeff Okudah has worked hard on getting his speed back after tearing his Achilles in the season opener a year ago.

The Lions cornerback traveled around the United States and ventured into Canada seeking out the best specialists to help get him back on the football field.

Friday night’s preseason opener could be a big step in the process. For many players coming back from a lengthy injury taking that first hit is big. But it’s more than that for Okudah who the Lions drafted with the third overall pick in 2020.

“That’s always big making that first play, but I think it’s getting out there and participating just being out there with the crowd’s energy. I think that will be big for me as well,’’ Okudah said after Wednesday’s training camp.

He said as far as physically he thinks everything has gone smoothly in training camp.

“I’m my toughest critic but trying not to be too hard on myself after not playing in 11 months,’’ Okudah said. 

The cornerback is listed behind Amani Oruwariye and Will Harris on the depth chart that coach Dan Campbell calls “unofficially official.”

“The way I approach it, I always feel like there’s competition so even when there wasn’t really a competition I always take everything as competition,’’ OKudah said. “I always demanded that out of myself.”

Campbell said they have no concern about Okudah’s Achilles.

“Physically he looks great. He needs reps. He needs reps, he needs to play, I mean that’s the thing that we can never lose sight of. I mean, he’s going into Year Three and he really hasn’t played. I mean he just hasn’t had significant playing time,’’ Campbell said.

In his rookie season Okudah struggled through a variety of injuries and only played nine games. In 2021 he was lost for the season in the opener.

Friday night’s preseason game should provide a clue about where Okudah stands with the regular season about a month away.

(The Lions open the preseason at 6 p.m. on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field.)