Lions training camp observations: Rookie receivers popping; O-line a work in progress

ALLEN PARK Here are some observations from Day 6 of Detroit Lions training camp.

Saturday marked the first practice of the year with fans in attendance, and per usual, there was a noticeable change in the energy.

Supporters in attendance gave Lions owner Sheila Hamp a standing ovation when she arrived, and later started a chant for linebacker Alex Anzalone, who returned to practice amid a contract dispute with the team.Related ArticlesAhmed Hassanein everything were about with Lions, learning moves from Aidan HutchinsonLions Aidan Hutchinson shooting for the stars, been feeling normal for a long timeDetroit Lions offensive line is a work in progress a year after being among NFLs bestIn Aidan Hutchinson, Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard sees a better player than we had last yearJason Benetti, T.J.

Lang to call Lions preseason games Ultimately, Anzalone didnt partake much in team activities while continuing to work through rehabbing his hamstring.

Neither did edge defender Al-Quadin Muhammad, who was spotted running the hill near the practice field alongside cornerback D.J.

Reed.

UDFA safety Ian Kennelly, who missed Fridays practice with an undisclosed injury, did not practice again Saturday but was spotted working off to the side with trainers.

Saturday was also the second day with pads, and the defense was feasting early on.

Linebacker Jack Campbell dropped running back Jahmyr Gibbs for a loss on the second play of the day.

Two plays later, edge defender Aidan Hutchinson brought down running back David Montgomery for no gain.Defensive linemen Keith Cooper Jr.

and Ahmed Hassanein immediately got a stop for the second team, and Roy Lopez, who returned to practice for the first time since suffering a foot injury on Monday, stuffed running back Jabari Small for no gain.UDFA running back Kye Robichaux eventually snapped the drought for the offense, breaking off an explosive run after being sprung by UDFA tackle Mason Miller in the open field.

Two plays later, Robichaux had another run of 10-plus yards.

Rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams returned to practice on Saturday after missing Friday for personal reasons.

On the first teams second session of 11-on-11 reps, he and veteran DJ Reader teamed up to stuff Gibbs on a run.

And on the very next play, Williams was at the front of another run stop for minimal or no gain.

Hutchinson ended the set with a tackle-for-loss on Montgomery.

A few plays later, Grant Stuard dropped Craig Reynolds for a loss, and Cooper and Chris Smith also teamed up for a stop for no gain.

Fans hoping to see some plays from third-round receiver Isaac TeSlaa were treated to big plays from multiple rookie receivers.UDFA Jackson Meeks ran a slot fade down the left sideline and got perfect placement on a ball from quarterback Kyle Allen, hauling the pass in with one hand while going to the ground.

Seventh-rounder Dominic Lovett caught a tight-windowed pass between two defenders on another great throw from Allen for a touchdown in a 7-on-7 red-zone drill.I love being able to sit back and watch those guys work, veteran receiver Amon-Ra St.

Brown said of the rookie class.

Its a lot of fun cheering them on.

They make big plays.

I mean, Meeks had a one-hand catch today, Dom had one the other day, Isaacs ending practice with touchdowns, so its awesome to see.Between TeSlaa, Lovett and the rest of the veteran receiving core, the Lions have about six receivers who have a pretty good shot of making the roster.

But if Lovett can uphold his production while remaining a factor on special teams, hes going to have a huge opportunity to be a weekly contributor come this fall.You guys know, and they know, theyve been told, Man, if you can help on special teams and continue to develop at your role in your position, theres a place for you, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said.TeSlaa closed the practice with one of the plays of the day.

He ran a slot fade to the end zone against cornerback Dicaprio Bootle and went up to haul in a throw from Jared Goff, going down at the 1-yard line and electrifying the crowd one last time.I would say, Lovett has...popped more early out on the field, but I thought TeSlaa had a really good day yesterday, Campbell said before Saturdays practice.

I can see the uptick now with him.

Hes got to stack another good day, but that was good to see yesterday.

And thats the first day of pads, by the way.

For the third straight practice, veteran Graham Glasgow took reps at center while rookie Tate Ratledge played left guard.

In addition to struggling with the interior defensive line on run plays, Ratledge also registered a false start early in the practice.

Hutchinsons 2025 Defensive Player of the Year campaign is officially on.

He had another standout practice, sacking Goff in team period off a nasty spin move to beat offensive tackle Dan Skipper.

Hutchinson also had another highlight-reel spin on Skipper during one-on-one drills.I see a player that is very confident in his abilities.

I see a player that appears to bend even better than last year, and I see a player who was hungry thats even hungrier, Campbell told NFL Network after practice.

Hes gonna have a hell of a season for us.

Linebacker Zach Cunningham was the most noticeable player on the field Friday, but he got off to a rough start on Saturday.

He bit on play-action on the first pass attempt of the day and got torched by tight end Sam LaPorta, who ran wild after making a catch to give the offense an early explosive play.

The best reps from the offense came in 7-on-7 red-zone drills, with all three strings making light work of the defense.The first team got things rolling with a first-play touchdown to receiver Jameson Williams, as Goff fed the ball into a tight window for the connection.

Goff then had two really nice passes to receiver Kalif Raymond and fed the ball to tight end Shane Zylstra for a completion near the sideline.

Goff finished things off with a dart to receiver Tom Kennedy in the end zone.Kennedy connected with quarterback Hendon Hooker two plays later, going up to high-point a ball on a fade route and getting two feet down in the end zone while working against cornerback Tyson Russell.Allen, meanwhile, went 5-for-6 on red-zone attempts, with his only incompletion coming on a ball to Lovett in the end zone where the receiver could only get one foot in.

The first-team defense got its revenge after the 7-on-7 period during full-team red-zone drills.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold defended a throw to St.

Brown on the first play, followed by a sack in which Reader pressured first before the whole line converged on Goff.

During the final 11-on-11 period of the day, Raymond caught a crosser from Goff and took it 45 yards to the house for a score.

Shortly after, Hassanein pressured Hooker for a near-sack after beating tackle Giovanni Manu.

TeSlaa ended the day with his phenomenal catch over Bootle.

Manu had a tough day.

He got beat cleanly twice in a one-on-one pass-rush drill, losing to edge defender Mitchell Agude on a speed rush and getting beat by defensive lineman Pat OConnor on a swim move.

He was almost beaten by Hassanein on a bull rush but recovered in time to anchor and stave off the rush.Hassanein continues to stand out in a positive way.

In addition to the win over Manu during one-on-ones, he used a Hutchinson-esque spin move to beat Miller.

Cooper also had a terrific rep, using a push-pull move to beat veteran Trystan Colon..

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