Week 3 of OTAs has formally concluded. As regular, Dan Campbell took the rostrum to talk with the media and reply varied questions. Campbell touched on Brian Branch’s damage, the backup cornerbacks, and way more. His full media session is on the market on YouTube, however to summarize what he talked about and a number of the questions he was requested, right here’s what I gathered.
Campbell confirmed after the ultimate OTA apply that the staff will transfer on to a two-day necessary minicamp subsequent week earlier than breaking for the summer time.
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Campbell stated the Lions achieved their targets through the offseason program, even with the NFL’s adjusted schedule this yr. He additionally confirmed the staff will maintain a two-day necessary minicamp subsequent week earlier than gamers break till coaching camp begins in late July.
Mandatory Minicamp: June 16-17, 2026
Training Camp: Expected to start in late July, with actual reporting dates nonetheless to be introduced.
Next week’s minicamp will doubtless be the final probability to get significant updates on battles such as Blake Miller vs. Larry Borom at proper deal with, as properly as the well being standing of gamers like Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Terrion Arnold earlier than coaching camp begins.
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Campbell additionally touched on one of many largest positional battles of the offseason: the competitors for the beginning proper deal with place. He acknowledged that “it remains wide open,” as neither Borom nor Miller has received the job outright. Campbell praised the aggressive nature of each gamers, saying, “It’s exactly what we wanted.” Miller has obtained the vast majority of first-team reps, however the battle is much from over.
Ennis Rakestraw and Rock Ya-Sin weren’t on the market at present as a consequence of sickness, in line with Campbell.
Campbell additionally stated Rakestraw added some bulk this offseason to assist his physique maintain up and that he has no motive to consider Ennis can’t stand up to a full season.
Dan Campbell stated Brian Branch has not suffered any setbacks, however he didn’t sound overly optimistic about his possibilities of being prepared for coaching camp.
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Campbell jokingly set the timeline at December so the media would cease asking. While it was clearly a joke, it does sign that Detroit is taking Branch’s restoration slowly. It’s extremely unlikely he’ll be prepared for coaching camp, in line with Campbell, however you by no means know.
One factor that stood out was the reward Campbell gave to new offensive line assistant coach and former Lions participant Dan Skipper.
Campbell referred to as Skipper “a natural” as a coach and stated he suits the staff like a glove.
Detroit remodeled 20 additions to the roster this offseason, and a number of the under-the-radar gamers are starting to face out, together with defensive lineman Tyler Lacy and vast receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr., who’s competing for the fifth vast receiver spot on the depth chart.
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It seem OTAs have gone simply how the Lions have deliberate with only one main damage to rookie vast receiver Kendrick Law, who tore his ACL. There has been a aggressive nature throughout as Detroit seems to set the tone earlier than preseason begins in August.