For the first time in the 2026 training camp, the Detroit Lions conducted a practice with full pads on the players. That means we finally get a proper context to watch and evaluate the offensive and defensive lines, as well as the LBs and RBs to a lesser extent.

I spent most of the day focused on the trenches, specifically the offensive line. That included some “pit drill” work, one-on-one competition pitting OL vs. DL. Here’s what made the notes for a sunny, quite pleasant Monday morning at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park.

Blake Miller impressed

I tried to focus on Miller, the team’s first-round pick and starting right tackle. He’s taking all the first-team reps at RT already. The biggest thing that stands out is Miller’s balance and footwork. Ironically, his worst play of the day spotlights just how clean it is for a rookie.

Miller’s one loss on a rep came early in team drills, where he overextended to try and reach the DE on a run block. He stayed on his feet and relatively in the way of the defense, but didn’t accomplish the play’s mission. That was the only misstep, using that phrase both literally and more abstractly.

No. 76’s most impressive rep came against Aidan Hutchinson, who tried ot hit him with the signature inside quick-spin. Miller was perfectly square to Hutchinson and parried him off, hands and feet in perfect position for a second attack after stymying the sackmaster. The play ended quickly, so there wasn’t a second action from No. 97, but Miller was locked in and ready for more.

In team drills, Miller erased Mekhi Wingo on a run to his side, pushing the DL well off the line and out of harm’s way. It’s one practice, but Miller looks ready.

Firkser up and down

Freshly re-signed TE Anthony Firkser was in the midst of a very impressive Monday practice when he left with a leg injury. I didn’t see him get hurt, so I can’t comment on the severity or mechanism. Hopefully it’s nothing serious, because Firkser emphatically outplayed Brock Wright during the rest of the day.

Firkser made the catch of the day in receiving drills, snatching a one-handed stab well away from his body while on almost a dead sprint. Later in a one-on-one tackling drill, Firkser easily broke away from a tackle attempt from UDFA rookie Erick Hunter, who came in both too hot and too high. It showcased some reactive athleticism I wasn’t sure Firkser had in him.

As for Wright, the team tried the veteran in a FB role on a rep and it resulted in a rough loss for the offense. He doesn’t have the litheness in space Firkser showed, at least prior to the latter’s injury.

WR blocking drill

Before the first team session, the wide receivers took part in a blocking drill, with one trying to prevent another from getting to a target point.

As expected, Amon-Ra St. Brown completely dominated his reps. He’s got better blocking technique and pad level than some of the linemen. Jameson Williams also fared well as a blocker, proving he could quickly reset his hands when initially too high.

Malik Cunningham shone in this drill. You’d never know he was a quarterback converting to wideout; he blocks more like a tight end. Gets after his blocking marks and lets them know it, too. Tae Martin had an impressive win as well. On the flip side, Tom Kennedy–normally quite reliable as a blocker–lost both of his reps that I witnessed, though neither was egregiously bad.

Roster move and health updates

Prior to practice, the Lions announced they have signed TE Nick Muse and released WR Tarik Black.

Firkser was one of three players who suffered an injury during the session. Wide receiver Lawrence Keys left with a leg injury, and RB Sione Vaki got poked in the eye, per the Lions. No other post-practice updates.

Offensive lineman Ben Bartch worked with trainers off to the north end zone by Mt. Patricia for a long time. He’s hoping to get into full action soon. They did a lot of bursting and stopping type of drills and movements.

Brian Branch also spent time working with trainers.

New LB Devin White spent nearly the entire portion of the special teams drill running sprints and doing calisthenics on the opposite field. I didn’t notice him in any drills, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he didn’t participate.

Tackling drill

The DBs and LBs went up against the RBs, TEs and WRs in a mano-a-mano tackling drill. Think of an old “Oklahoma drill” but with a wider field and a decided lack of violence.

Winners:

RB Jabari Small, who had a nice day for himself. Nifty moves.

S Chuck Clark, two coaching-tape form tackles

CB DJ Reed, excellent corral-type tackle on Jameson Williams, who gave him props after the rep

S Dan Jackson, though he ran right past a potential TFL in team drills later

LB Malcolm Rodriguez, showing closing burst under control

WR Dominic Lovett

WR Lawrence Keys, nice hesitation step

S Loren Strickland

RB Sione Vaki, though he did it as a tackler–reflecting upon his safety days at Utah. No, they’re not changing his position; a few offensive players took a defensive rep throughout the drill.

Losers:

CB Ennis Rakestraw was 0-for-2 against Keys and also got quickly bested by St. Brown in a footrace to the side

LB Erick Hunter, way too high and out of control in his tackle approaches

CB Amaris Brown, another UDFA who was way too high on his initial tackling approach. Both he and Hunter have a big adjustment to the speed and attention to detail of the NFL.

CB Rock Ya-Sin, completely smoked by WR Isaac TeSlaa, who had an otherwise nondescript day

RB Jacob Saylors, who looked visibly less quick and reactive than Small–the man he’s primarily competing against for a role.

Quick hits

–Jameson Williams is clearly becoming the fan favorite amongst the offensive players. It’s notably pronounced with the grade-school set. They love them some Jamo. He had another strong practice overall.

–DL Tyler Lacy had a very strong day in both the pit drill and in team drills. If he’s not on your 53-man roster projection, you’re wrong. Noticeably stronger at the point of attack than the other “big” ends, including rookies Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West and also veteran Levi Onwuzurike.

–No FG kicks today, though Jake Bates was back out on the field after missing Friday’s session.

–First day open to the general public, and the stands were packed. Loads of kids and an impressive amount of Gibbs and Branch jerseys throughout the crowd.

–I only caught a couple of reps in a 7-on-7 drill that was operating concurrently with the pit drill, but on the last one I watched, LB Derrick Barnes turned and stayed on the hip in perfect coverage on RB Isiah Pacheco on a wheel route up the left sideline.

–In the QB warmups, Teddy Bridgewater did punitive push-ups after completely missing the target net. Jared Goff nailed the last throw and celebrated burying the ball in the upper left target with some authority.

–Next practice is Tuesday morning.