The Detroit Lions begin their very first of 3 weeks of padded practices Monday before they turn their attention to their Week 1 opponent, the Chicago Bears.
While fans are not allowed Allen Park this year due to the fact that of the coronavirus pandemic, a minimal variety of reporters will be in participation and the Lions will livestream practice throughout training school.
Here are 5 gamers Ill be keeping tabs on today as football returns:
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QB Matthew Stafford.
It has been 288 days given that Stafford last threw a significant pass, in a loss to the then-Oakland Raiders last Nov. 3 when he suffered fractured bones in his back. Stafford is healthy now, by all accounts, and thats great news for the Lions, who require their quarterback to stay upright and on the field for 16 games if theyre going to challenge for a playoff spot. Staffords health is bound to be a story all season. Once Khalil Mack and Danielle Hunter get their hits in, theres no telling how hell hold up. But he appears poised for a huge season with his three best receivers and top two tight ends returning, and a fellow Georgia Bulldog (DAndre Swift) in the backfield. If nothing else, it will be assuring to him sling the ball around this week.
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TE T.J. Hockenson.
Hockenson is one of the aforementioned weapons the Lions are counting on to make their offense total. If he looks right early in camp, expect to hear a lot of Hockenson buzz as someone prepared to take off in his 2nd season.
[Listen to our special one-on-one with Lions legend Calvin Johnson ] CB Jeff Okudah.
What would this list lack the No. 3 pick of the draft? The Lions made Okudah the highest-drafted cornerback since 1997 because they saw him as a special talent and perfect plan fit would have an instant effect on their defense. There will be bumps in the roadway, but Okudah is a Day 1 starter with the potential to ultimately transform the defense. The Lions are counting on that happening faster instead of later, but for now, well opt for viewing him complete with the similarity Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in one-on-ones.
[Dave Birkett forecasts the Detroit Lions 53-man roster ] DT DaShawn Hand.
Heres somebody possibly you didnt have pegged for this list. Hand had a strong if unspectacular rookie season in 2018, when he had 3 sacks, began eight games and showed flashes of being more than the function gamer lots of pegged him as coming out of Alabama. That didnt emerge in 2015, when he hurt his elbow in the first week of training camp and returned in October, just to suffer an ankle injury that ended his season. The Lions are thin in advance, and Hand has a possibility to play considerable snaps along with Trey Flowers and Danny Shelton. Its essential he plays well in August and heads into the season healthy.
[2020 Detroit Lions schedule: Dave Birketts game-by-game predictions ] OG Jonah Jackson.
The most significant position battle to arrange out the next three weeks is at ideal guard, where rookies Jackson and Logan Stenberg and veterans Kenny Wiggins and Oday Aboushi might see time. As pointed out, the Lions hopes of returning to the playoffs rest on Staffords shoulders, and Jackson might be a big part of keeping him healthy on a revamped right side of the offending line.
Stafford is healthy now, by all accounts, and thats great news for the Lions, who need their quarterback to remain upright and on the field for 16 games if theyre going to challenge for a playoff spot. Hockenson is one of the previously mentioned weapons the Lions are counting on to make their offense complete. The Lions made Okudah the highest-drafted cornerback given that 1997 because they saw him as a special talent and ideal scheme fit would have an instant impact on their defense. That didnt emerge last year, when he hurt his elbow in the first week of training camp and returned in October, just to suffer an ankle injury that ended his season. As mentioned, the Lions hopes of returning to the playoffs rest on Staffords shoulders, and Jackson might be a huge part of keeping him healthy on a revamped best side of the offensive line.
