Tag: dan campbell

Lions WR Jameson Williams likely out rest of preseason after hamstring injury

Amon-Ra St. Brown expected back next week

ALLEN PARK — Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams could be out the rest of the preseason after sustaining a hamstring injury on Wednesday.

“There’s a good chance it probably could go through the preseason,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Thursday morning prior to the second joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s ankle injury, which also happened Wednesday, is not as serious. Campbell expects him back sometime next week.

Williams’ injury is more worrisome since he’s suspended for the first six games of the season due to an NFL gambling infraction.

Campbell wanted the speedy second-year receiver, who played only six games in 2022 due to injury, to get as many reps in preseason games as possible so he’d be ready to jump in after his absence. He played until late in the third quarter in the preseason opening win over the Giants on Friday when he was targeted seven times and had two catches for 18 yards.

“As long as he stays on top of the mental portion of it, you can get a lot out of the mental work,’’ Campbell said. “He grinds on that and takes care of the hamstring, we’ll take it as it comes.’’

This is the second camp injury for Williams who was injured on the second day of camp and missed the next four sessions.

Campbell said he and GM Brad Holmes have discussed adding another wide receiver.

“But to do that you have to move on from somebody and that’s a hard move too with other areas, other spots. We’re thinking about it,’’ Campbell said.

These absences open the door for younger receivers with an eye on a roster spot like Chase Cota, Dylan Drummond, Avery Davis and Antoine Green.

“Great opportunity. It’s another spot, honestly. This room is wide open, we’ve got a pretty good feel of some of these guys. We have a spot, potentially two, wide open,’’ Campbell said. “Cota you want it? Go get it. Drummond you want it? Go get it. Trinity Benson, we’re going to get him back a little bit today.

“Our eyes are wide open, we’re looking for guys,’’ Campbell said. “We have a track record in a three-year period here. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been drafted, who you are, what it is. You’ve got an opportunity, you want to earn it, go get it.’’

The Lions and Jaguars held their second joint practice on Thursday. They will meet in a preseason game at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Ford Field.

Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr., a former Jaguar, is in familiar situation at joint practice

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams down with injuries

ALLEN PARK — It’s like old home week at the Detroit Lions facility this week for wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr.

Wednesday was the first of two joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars before their preseason game on Saturday.

Jones is wearing a Lions jersey – number 0 to be exact – but for the past two seasons he’s played for the Jaguars. Of course, previous to that he had his first stint (2016-20) with the Lions.

It’s not just players on both teams – he knows coaches, trainers, you name it.

“The environment is great. I hear ‘Hey’ out there after every play … I’m like I’ve got to get in the huddle,’’ Jones said. “It’s fun to see them. Obviously we’ve been through a lot over there. It ended great there and I’ve been here too. It’s the same. Just good to be around.’’

Jones sees plenty of similarities between the two teams that both finished 9-8 last season.

“I saw a lot of parallels last year after we came here and they whooped our butt. I don’t think we lost another game. And vice-versa,’’ Jones said. “We were on the trajectory at the same time. Definitely, definitely similar. I think both are going to be successful.’’

From the day he signed as a free agent, Jones had said how happy he is to return to Detroit.

“I love (the vibe). It was my vibe for five years – going on the field, hearing the same songs, the tunnel. It’s all good,’’ Jones said.

On Wednesday during one of the special teams drills, he had a few words on the sidelines with Jaguars coach Doug Pederson. 

“I love him as a coach for sure,’’ Jones said.

Pederson had kind words for Jones too.

“I can’t say enough great things about Marvin. What a great leader. Helped us get into the postseason last year, came up big,’’ Pederson said. “Well liked in the community. I know he’s been here and fits in really well. Wish him the best.’’

Of course, now he’s playing for Dan Campbell and it puts a smile on his face.

“He’s been great. He’s a fiery guy, it’s easy for him to hype us up. He’s a former player who knows how to do it. Knows the flow of what we should be doing and where we should be at,’’ Jones said. “It’s been great.’’

NOTES: It was a one-two gut punch for wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on Wednesday. St. Brown went down with an apparent ankle injury and did not return to practice. Williams was going for a deep ball when he pulled up holding his right leg on what could be a hamstring injury. He also did not return to practice. Williams already missed 4 days early in camp with a leg injury. Dan Campbell wants to give him a lot of playing time in preseason contests since he will miss the first six weeks of the season due to an NFL gambling suspension. 

Lions win preseason opener with rookies and backups leading the way

DETROIT — With most of the starters watching from the sidelines, the Detroit Lions won their preseason opener 21-16 over the N.Y. Giants on Friday night before an exceptionally boisterous preseason crowd at Ford Field.

The teams held a pair of joint practices at the Lions’ facility earlier in the week, giving many veterans plenty of reps against an opponent. Coach Dan Campbell’s plan was to give younger players more gametime reps.

“I felt like those young guys came out, I didn’t think it was too big for them. They made plays and the vets who were out there for us did a good job too,’’ Campbell said. “It always feels good to win. We’ve got a lot to clean up, but it’s a good first start.’’

Detroit quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who will battle for the No. 2 spot with Teddy Bridgewater, started and played until there were 23 seconds left in the third quarter. 

His first snap was an attempted pass to wide receiver Jameson Williams that was intercepted. Campbell said Nate was getting hit as he threw. Sudfeld’s other interception was also on a pass to Williams, but Campbell said that one was on both of them.

Williams, who only played in the last six games last year, is under much scrutiny. He’s a first-round pick (2022) with speed to spare, but he hasn’t been able to show much on the football field at least yet.

“I told him this, I’m not worried. I didn’t go into this game saying Jameson needs to have 10 catches and 180 yards. That was not what I wanted,’’ Campbell said. “I just wanted him to get lined up, urgency, route definition, detail, finish. I thought for the most part he did that.’’

Williams, who started and played until late in the third quarter, was targeted seven times and had two catches for 18 yards. While it won’t be found in the stats, he made a nice block on a 32-yard play by tight end James Mitchell. 

Sudfeld completed 15 of 28 passes for 194 yards, settling down a bit after that first pick.

Early in the third quarter he completed a 2-point conversion on a pass to Williams (who made a one-handed catch) after a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown by Maurice Alexander.

“That was an outstanding return, I thought that was a long kick, he fielded it and I thought we blocked well and the rest was up to him,’’ Campbell said. “He broke a couple of tackles, kept going, he got some blocks downfield. I think what was awesome is what we preach all the time, that’s not even our first unit, but it showed the development of guys.’’

Adrian Martinez came in at quarterback with 23 seconds left in the third and led an 11-play drive that ended with a quarterback keeper for one yard and a touchdown that proved to be the game-winner.

Campbell said the young quarterback was composed, efficient and unfazed. He will likely get fewer reps next week against Jacksonville because Teddy Bridgewater, who signed Thursday and didn’t play Friday, will be in the mix.

Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, a first-round pick, looked like he belonged with six runs for 19 yards and an 18-yard catch in his limited time in the first half. It wasn’t a surprise, it’s what he has been showing at training camp.

The Lions backup defense held the Giants to just 215 net yards, with 81 of those on the ground.

Defensive ends Julian and Romeo Okwara combined for four sacks, with Julian getting three of them.

“It was nice to see the two brothers go in there and crush the can. That was good,’’ Campbell said. “I thought for the most part we had pressure all day.’’

Nine defensive players had tackles for losses. 

Rookie linebacker Jack Campbell did not start, but had four tackles and one pass defense. 

“Obviously it always feels good to win, I thought the guys came out, we just wanted to cut it loose and play, keep it plain and simple,’’ coach Campbell said. “They knew what we were facing because we faced them for two days now.’’

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Lions will host joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars and then face them in a preseason game at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19, at Ford Field.