Lions injury update: Dan Campbell expects near-perfect training camp attendance

The Detroit Lions completed mandatory minicamp on Thursday, marking the end of spring training for the team's veterans. The organization will hold a few more OTA workouts for its young players next week, and upon their conclusion, the rest of the remaining players will leave for summer vacation.

Lions coach Dan Campbell has said multiple times that the team is pleased with how the team is progressing in its offseason development, program setup and overall health. And although daily participation reports show as many as 16 players not participating in OTAs and minicamps, Campbell estimates that almost all 90 players on the current roster will be ready to practice when training camp begins late July.

The only player Campbell identified as potentially needing more time was veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader, arguably their best free agent acquisition this offseason.

“Yeah, I would say Reader would be the one who…he decides when he's ready to start training,” Campbell said Thursday. “But it’s not something that catches us off guard. We knew it would take a minute here.

“I would expect everyone to be almost ready, otherwise it will be tight. That will be enough for them to get a very good amount of work in training camp, if that makes sense. So no, there is no one that alarms me. I'd say Reader is probably the one that's going to take a minute.

Reader is recovering from a quad injury – his second in the last two seasons – that knocked him out of last season, but he is optimistic he will be able to recover in time to prepare for the season.

“I expect to be there,” Reader said in March. “I expect to be out there at the start of the season. I hope to be ready. I don't want to impose myself on days or things like that, but I expect to be there. I don't know what other people's expectations are, but I hold myself to a high standard as a person and as a player. I know I'm going to go out there and work every day.

Beyond Reader, the Lions have several other projected starters who either didn't participate or were limited during OTAs/minicamp for various reasons. Taylor Decker (ankle surgery), Brian Branch (cleaning procedure), and Kerby Joseph (minor surgery) were proactive and underwent offseason surgery in hopes of being cleared for training camp. While Frank Ragnow (chronic foot injury – do not consider retiring), Kevin Zeitler (had limited practices this spring), and Marcus Davenport appear to benefit from veteran's leave because they have a history of injuries. Based on Campbell's comments, all six should be ready to go at training camp.

A few other players are also dealing with pre-existing injuries from last season. Emmanuel Mosley is recovering from his second straight ACL surgery, but he will have eight and a half months of recovery when camp begins, giving him a chance to be ready. Beginner Ennis Rake suffered some injuries during his previous season at Missouri and the Lions limited his reps, although he tended to increase as minicamp ended. Rookie friend Terrion Arnold has also been limited, but the reason is not entirely clear.

The Lions also had a few players dealing with more recent injuries. Jahmyr Gibbs suffers a soft tissue injury that is unrelated to a previous injury and has missed time. Khalil Dorsey injured his ankle on Wednesday – according to Campbell – but it appears minor. James Houston And Kayode Awosika I also missed some time, but it's not entirely clear why at this point.

Additionally, there are also a few Lions players moving on from some of their existing injuries, none more notable than Levi Onwuzurike– limited since his rookie season due to a back injury – who is finally making progress in overcoming his injury.

“I just want to be careful because we're not wearing pads, I just want to reiterate, but Levi is having a really good spring,” Campbell said. “(Josh) Paschal too, but Levi, because where he came from and everything he had to deal with, I mean, this guy just continued his rehab, he continued to train his body and work , he's put on weight because his back can handle it now. We helped him last year until he was able to put in a few reps and he's having a really good spring.

Overall, the Lions feel they have put themselves in a position to have a near-perfect attendance at training camp and are confident the players will do their part to show up at Allen Park ready to go.

“They are in very good shape at the moment. They really are,” Campbell said. “It’s one of those where we would like to be able to start camp in a week. However, you're going to be sure that these guys will continue to work, and they do, but make sure you come back to camp and you're in great shape. That you are where you are when you left here. And make sure that's where you are physically. But mentally understand that where you want this to go and where you want us to go as a team. The work up to that point and the work it will take to get there, you need to understand what that looks like and what you're setting yourself up to do.