{"id":28218,"date":"2025-07-22T08:41:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T08:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/28218\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T08:41:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T08:41:09","slug":"lions-training-camp-observations-hendon-hooker-marcus-davenport-have-big-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/28218\/","title":{"rendered":"Lions training camp observations: Hendon Hooker, Marcus Davenport have big days"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Lions<\/a> held their second practice of 2025 training camp, marking the start of Day 2 of the acclimation phase. An additional 15 minutes were added onto practice on Monday, but the team is very early in its exploration of what this roster has to offer. <\/p>\n

Participation Report <\/p>\n

Jeremy Reisman has already published a full participation report for Day 2 of training camp<\/a>\u2014including an update on Alex Anzalone\u2019s hamstring injury<\/a>\u2014so I won\u2019t waste time regurgitating the list. However, I would recommend checking out the piece because there are some encouraging signs that several players are on the road to recovery.<\/p>\n

Hendon Hooker takes advantage of QB2 opportunity<\/p>\n

During his Monday morning press conference, coach Dan Campbell noted that he\u2019s made it clear to Hendon Hooker that the QB2 spot is an open competition and gave him a list of things to work on this offseason, including urgency and footwork.<\/p>\n

On Day 2 of camp, it was Hooker\u2019s turn in the reserve QB rotation, and when he took the field in the QB2 role, there was improvement in his game. Throughout the day, Hooker\u2019s footwork looked cleaner, his decisions were sped up (even improved from Sunday\u2019s practice), and his accuracy was noticeably sharper. When he has time to set, the ball pops out of his hand, and on Monday, he was making throws even with a muddied pocket. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe differences that I made this offseason by playing fast and playing on time and (on) rhythm, it feels completely different from last year. And OTAs, as well,\u201d Hooker told the media after practice. <\/p>\n

When asked to elaborate on the differences, Hooker explained that his processing has been a significant key to success. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think that I\u2019m processing it a lot more. I have a lot more confidence in the huddle,\u201d Hooker continued. \u201cMy teammates can see it, as well, because they\u2019re giving me good feedback when I go in the locker room. Encouraging them, they\u2019re encouraging me. It\u2019s great to feel back into the groove.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hooker is translating that confidence into calmness on the field, and an extra effort to build chemistry with his pass catchers has helped elevate his game. This was one of, if not the best, training camp practice we\u2019ve seen from Hooker, which is an encouraging sign for the next month of competition.<\/p>\n

Deep ball showing life<\/p>\n

While the Lions ran a lot of deep routes on Day 1 of training camp, they were unable to connect on any long shots. That changed on Monday, as Jared Goff connected with Jameson Williams (twice) and rookie Isaac TeSlaa down the field. <\/p>\n

The biggest play of the day came during 7-on-7s, when Goff baited the defensive back and uncorked a beautiful bomb to Williams 35 yards downfield. Williams ran a deep crosser, and with a little extra time in the pocket, Goff was able to wait until Williams cleared the safety before making the throw.<\/p>\n

Williams\u2019 speed is a problem for defensive backs, but if they drop a safety in the middle of the field, they can cloud the secondary. However, if Goff has time, like he did on this play, it\u2019s going to be hard for any corner to hang with Williams sprinting across the field.<\/p>\n

The connection with TeSlaa occurred during WR drills, but Goff basically threw it as far as he could, forcing the rookie to track it down. While there was no defender to contest the play, the speed, tracking, and catch were beautiful in concert.<\/p>\n

Miscellaneous notes on other WR\/RBs:<\/p>\n

Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Sione Vaki split their time during individual drills, taking reps with the running backs and wide receivers. With the Lions acknowledging that they\u2019re exploring more two-RB sets, we should expect to see more of this.
\nJameson Williams and Brian Branch are a fun matchup that typically results in some chatter after the play. Their dramatically different personalities make for some highly entertaining trash talk.
\nHooker appears to have made friends with the rookie wide receivers, as he found TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett on multiple occasions.
\nKyle Allen also found Lovett on shorter crossing and curl routes, and the rookie got several chances to show off his ability to gain yards after the catch (YAC).<\/p>\n

No changes on starting OL, reserves continue to cycle<\/p>\n

At his morning press conference, coach Dan Campbell noted that the Lions were going to use the next 10 or so days of practice\u2014leading up to the Hall of Fame game\u2014to assess their offensive line. He suggested that they hope to have a decision on center by that stage, even though the competition will continue throughout camp. <\/p>\n

That being said, the Lions rolled out the same starting offensive line for the second day in a row, and this appears to be the preferred group of five\u2014save Decker in at left tackle\u2014 stacked in the order that they practiced:<\/p>\n

LT Dan Skipper
LG Christian Mahogany
C Tate Ratledge
RG Graham Glasgow
RT Penei Sewell<\/p>\n

As for the reserves, they\u2019re rotating and cross-training heavily. Here\u2019s a look at how they looked on Day 2 of camp, with the previous position in parentheses:<\/p>\n

LT Giovanni Manu (LT2\/3)
LG Netane Muti\/Kingsley Eguakun (C2)
C Michael Niese (C3)\/Trystan Colon (LG3)
RG Kayode Awosika\/Colby Sorsdal (RT3)
RT Jamarco Jones\/Mason Miller (LT3\/LG3)<\/p>\n

The most notable change was Niese stepping back into the second-team center role and Eguakun getting some looks at guard\u2014a move to potentially test the second-year lineman\u2019s range.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Sunday, (I was) just watching him get better and better and better,\u201d Campbell said of Eguakun. \u201cThe way he competes, man, he\u2019s tough, he\u2019s physical. He is smart, really good athlete, (and) he can move. And he knows this. So much about him is going to be the anchor. We put pads on, the size, and those things. Just being able to sit some guys down, anchor, things of that nature. I like Kingsley; he\u2019s improved. He\u2019s improved a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miscellaneous notes on OL:<\/p>\n

The trio of Eguakun, Niese, and Colon gives the Lions three players who can play center and guard, making them potentially versatile puzzle pieces.
\nSpeaking of being versatile, it appears the Lions are cross-training Sorsdal at tackle and guard, which should likely help his stock.<\/p>\n

Marcus Davenport flashes dominance<\/p>\n

One of the most common questions we have received this offseason is: Who is going to rush the passer opposite Aidan Hutchinson? The Lions have insisted that Marcus Davenport will be the starter, and on Monday, he demonstrated why the Lions made this decision.<\/p>\n

On Day 2 of camp, Davenport flashed his range in multiple facets of the game. In 11-on-11s, he crashed on run play on what would have been a tackle for loss and laid a monster punch on the ball that knocked the running back off his line. On the very next play, his pass rush collapsed the pocket and flushed the quarterback out the back side. Not long later, he beat his blocker and had a would-be \u201csack.\u201d <\/p>\n

Like Hooker, this was arguably Davenport\u2019s best training camp practice as a Lion and should leave fans encouraged about what could be. <\/p>\n

Miscellaneous notes on DL:<\/p>\n

Nate Lynn had a clean sack on Monday as he continues to rep behind Davenport.
\nIsaac Ukwu and Ahmed Hassanein continue to rotate reps behind Hutchinson, as Josh Paschal and Al-Quadin Muhammad remain out.
\nUDFA Keith Cooper found his way on the field on Monday, operating out of the 4i role behind Pat O\u2019Connor. After not standing out on Day 1, it looks like he may have found a spot.<\/p>\n

Grant Stuard is unrelenting and tireless<\/p>\n

This offseason, Stuard was hailed as a terrific special teams player, and so far, he has not disappointed. He\u2019s playing in multiple phases of special teams, winning as a blocker, winning as a pursuer, and winning as a … kick returner?<\/p>\n

Yes. You read that right, Stuard, a 6-foot, 230-pound linebacker, set up as a returner (on two separate occasions) and exploded down the field like a man possessed. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s something I did my sophomore year in college,\u201d Stuard told Pride of Detroit after practice. \u201cSo, I\u2019m just trying to get ready for any opportunity. I like running around\u2014you know what I\u2019m saying ?\u2014and so coach (Dave Fipp) wanted me to get a couple of looks at it, so I wanted to show him what I could do.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s even more impressive is the fact that Stuard not only ran his return out to the 50-yard line, like most others do, but he kept his sprint all the way down the field, only slowing when he reached the end zone 100 yards away. Then, as he was jogging back to the group, the Lions called out for the last rep of the set, and asked for one more volunteer to run in pursuit… and you\u2019ll never guess who sprinted to the line.<\/p>\n

After sprinting 100 yards down the field as a returner, Stuard jumped right back into the very next play, illustrating the kind of player he truly is.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven if you feel ready and conditioned, it\u2019s a decision, every second (you\u2019re on the field),\u201d Stuard continued. \u201cOn that jog back, there\u2019s different things going on in your mind, but at the end of the day, the guys who I\u2019ve been around, that are great players, they make that decision (to jump back in). I think that no matter how in-shape you are, when the monkey jumps on your back, you have to make that decision if you\u2019re going to take him for a ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miscellaneous notes on LB:<\/p>\n

Jack Campbell has been dominant at MIKE and on special teams through two days. His ability to slip blocks is significantly improved, and it shows up in both areas.
\nZach Cunningham continues to double-dip at WILL1 and MIKE2 with Anzalone out.
\nDaRon Gilbert is indeed repping as MIKE3, showing flexibility to play more than just WILL. This will certainly improve his chances of making the roster in some way.
\nAnthony Pittman returned to practice on Monday and is being worked back into multiple linebacker spots, including MIKE.<\/p>\n

DBs continue to make plays<\/p>\n

The Lions\u2019 corners are a bit banged up right now, but they\u2014along with the safeties\u2014are not lacking in confidence. At the forefront of the outwardly expressed confidence is Terrion Arnold, who is not only making plays, but he\u2019s celebrating them. <\/p>\n

On Monday, Arnold had a terrific play in man coverage, switching assignments and shifting to covering tight end Brock Wright. When Goff was forced to check the ball down to Wright, Arnold anticipated the ball and made a fearless diving punch out, breaking up the pass despite it being less than 5-10 yards away from the line of scrimmage. He popped up in celebration, and his defensive teammates let him know they were impressed.<\/p>\n

Arnold also had a big win on special teams, when he and Amik Robertson were tasked with beating their blocks and pursuing the returner. Robertson crashed the blockers, taking both away, while Arnold dipped under and up, finding an open path to the ball carrier, where he squared him up for the stop. This also drew a positive reaction from his fellow defenders. <\/p>\n

Miscellaneous notes on DBs:<\/p>\n

Robertson also secured a would-be tackle for loss, stepping into the escape window after Jack Campbell collapsed the pocket on a blitz.
\nWe also continue to see safeties making plays at or behind the line of scrimmage, as Branch, Morice Norris, and rookie Dan Jackson all had would-be sacks in this practice.
\nJackson, in 11-on-11s, also had David Montgomery in his sights, and after the running back made a spectacular catch, Jackson closed in a heartbeat. If they were in pads, it would have likely been a universally talked about hit.
\nLastly, with several corners unable to practice, safety Erick Hallett took reps at outside corner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Detroit Lions held their second practice of 2025 training camp, marking the start of Day 2 of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28219,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[63],"tags":[1979,2123,24205,20342,2120,2131,4992,2130,424,4809,24203,24204,2121,2947,349,24202,573,2129,99,2122],"class_list":["post-28218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nfl","tag-big","tag-camp","tag-davenport","tag-days","tag-detroit","tag-detroit-lions-analysis","tag-detroit-lions-news","tag-detroit-lions-training-camp","tag-front-page","tag-have","tag-hendon","tag-hooker","tag-lions","tag-marcus","tag-nfl","tag-observations","tag-of","tag-pride","tag-sports","tag-training"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28218\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}