Lions’ Day Five Pads Practice Highlights Offensive Line and Depth Chart Shifts
The Detroit Lions completed the first pads session of their 2026 training camp, with coach Dan Campbell emphasizing roster decisions, while the offensive line drew praise and several defensive players saw role changes.
The Detroit Lions held their first pads practice of the 2026 training camp on Monday, lasting about 90 minutes, as head coach Dan Campbell warned that the upcoming week will separate roster hopefuls from established players. Campbell said the four-day pads segment will intensify after today’s “break-in” session.
In a morning press conference, Campbell provided updates on rookie injuries and noted that star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has not yet practiced due to a contract dispute, remains in the building, attending meetings and working in the facility. When asked about his return, Gibbs replied, "Time will tell."
The practice opened with a modified one-on-one drill that replaced full tackling with two-hand touches, a change likely aimed at reducing injury risk after a similar drill caused a player’s injury in 2025. Defensive players won most of the matchups, though several offensive skill players recorded successful moves.
Offensive linemen attracted particular attention. Cade Mays and Christian Mahogany stood out on pulling blocks, with Mahogany overpowering defensive end Aidan Hutchinson on a pull. Second-year lineman Miles Frazier impressed with his versatility, shifting between guard and tackle positions and showing strong endurance. One-on-one drills against the defensive line featured notable performances, including Mahogany beating Alim McNeill twice and Penei Sewell splitting reps with Hutchinson.
Running back Jacob Saylors took on a larger role after Gibbs’ holdout and wide receiver Sion Vaki left practice early. Saylors recorded a 20-yard gain in an 11-on-11 drill and later completed a 40-plus-yard touchdown route.
Safety Christian Izien, who missed the first three days due to flu, returned to start at nickelback and later shifted to safety, prompting a cascade of position changes among secondary players such as Roger McCreary, Aamaris Brown, and rookie Keith Abney.
Overall, the Lions used the session to evaluate depth, reinforce offensive line schemes, and adjust defensive alignments ahead of the intensive pads period scheduled for the rest of the week.