Za'Darius Smith remains a free agent more than 4 months after his release from Detroit Lions. The team has had dialogue about signing Matthew Judon.

The Detroit Lions conducted their first padded practice Friday, and a pair of rookies were among the players absent from the action. First-round pick defensive tackle Tyleik Williams was not present, nor was undrafted safety Ian Kennelly. The reasons for both's absences were not immediately provided, and it's unclear whether it's injury-related.

As the Detroit Lions complete their fifth day of training camp and the first padded practice, there remains no player I get asked about more than second-year offensive lineman Giovanni Manu. The greenhorn tackle and 2024 fourth-round pick (using a 2025 third-rounder to trade up to acquire him) was selected out of the Canadian USports college level with the knowledge that Manu was very much a developmental project.

The Detroit Lions held their first padded camp practice of the summer Friday. The big story: Graham Glasgow at center, rookie Tate Ratledge at guard.

I’m just out there playing football. I’m trying to be the best Jack Campbell I can be every single day, nobody else."

For two straight days, coach Dan Campbell had to stop practice due to excessive on-field exuberance. Via Colton Pouncy of TheAthletic.com, Campbell paused practice after “ several scuffles ” broke out. Safety Brian Branch and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, per Pouncy, “went at it multiple times.”

Ahmed Hassanein has plenty of development in front of him, but Kelvin Sheppard is confident the Lions rookie can reach whatever his ceiling is.

The former Michigan standout and Marcus Davenport, alongside interior defensive linemen DJ Reader, have been some of the top standouts to open training camp. Davenport has looked like the strong bull rusher the Lions need on the other side, reminding all that his struggles have never been about talent or fit, but simply availability.

New Detroit Lions OC John Morton's mission is to improve the NFL's top scoring offense in 2024. And it all starts with quarterback Jared Goff.