Tag: John Cominsky

Lions Dan Campbell says the real fun starts now; injury update on LaPorta, others

ALLEN PARK — The wildcard home matchup against the Los Angeles Rams excites Lions coach Dan Campbell. No surprise there. He lives for this.

The coach loves that the Rams are a hot team – they’ve won seven of their last eight. They are also a team the LIons haven’t faced since 2021, a regular season loss in L.A.

“I like that, I like the newness of it,’’ Campbell said on Monday.

The Lions wrapped up the regular season with a  30-20 win over the Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field and a 12-5 record. They clinched the NFC North title a few weeks ago.

“It’s been fun, but this is when it gets really fun. This is why you do, this is why you coach, why you play for these moments right here,’’ Campbell said.

While he is more into game-planning he certainly does understand the underlying storyline of Matthew Stafford returning to Detroit and Goff facing his former team. Oh, and GM Brad Holmes came to Detroit via the Rams.

The coach gets it.

“It’s a reminder too, though, and Goff knows this, for example. We win as a team,’’ Campbell said. “This is about the Lions vs. the Rams. We win with three phases here and he’s a huge part of that and all he has to do is his part and he knows that, do what he’s been doing all year.’’

Injury update

Tight end Sam LaPorta has an outside shot at playing on Sunday, according to Campbell. They will know more in 48 hours. LaPorta left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. The coach said he is  talking days, not weeks. 

Immediately after the game, Campbell said LaPorta’s injury wasn’t as bad as it looked. It would be a boost if he can get in against the Rams.

The coach also said WR/PR Kalif Raymond (knee) is basically in the same situation as LaPorta although maybe a little behind.

WR Jameson Williams, who did not play Sunday due to an ankle injury and illness, is expected back at practice this week and should be ready to play against the Rams. 

LB James Houston (ankle) will practice, but it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go. TE Brock Wright (hip) could also practice this week after missing a month of play.

Also, DE John Cominsky was inactive Sunday because Campbell wanted to give him a rest. Said he’d put on a lot of hard miles this season with all the dirty work he does.

NEXT UP: Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5), 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field in the wildcard playoff game.

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.