2019 ScheduleAll times ET

2019 Schedule

Adam Schefter ESPN Senior Writer 

Lions signed DT Damon “Snacks” Harrison to a 1-year, $11 million extension that now includes $12 million guaranteed between this and next year, per source.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Da'Shawn Hand, Teez Tabor, Austin Bryant, Eric Lee, Tom Savage, Tommylee Lewis and Tyrell Crosby not spotted at Lions practice. Tabor did some stretching, though.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Matt Patricia said with roster decisions, they'll sometimes try to project what young players are going to be in November and December but it's a balance with also "whatever is best for your team at the time." Said there's still a lot of time between now and cut down time next weekend. There will be players who show more consistency between now and then. Doesn't want to make full evaluations too quickly.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Tom Savage, Tommylee Lewis, Tyrell Crosby, Teez Tabor, Austin Bryant, Da'Shawn Hand, Malik Carney, and Eric Lee not spotted at open portion of Lions practice Tuesday. Hand had what appeared to be a bandage or physio tape on his left elbow/arm (tough to tell which from our vantage point). That's the arm he hurt.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Matt Patricia said "it's very different" for rookies how they have to study in the NFL from their time in college. He said the pace of it can be different as well as they don't have to balance doing homework and study for classes. He explained that he tells rookies -- and new players coming in -- that they don't have time to go over things more than once. Suggests to players they study the information they are going to be working on the next day the night before.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

The Lions signed WR Jordan Lasley and released RB Justin Stockton.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Tom Savage, Tommylee Lewis, Tyrell Crosby, Teez Tabor, Austin Bryant, Da'Shawn Hand, C.J. Moore and Eric Lee not spotted at open portion of Lions practice Monday. Marvin Jones and Mike Daniels were dressed and Jones did some individual work.

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
3dNFL Nation

Training camp MVPs for all 32 NFL teams

NFL Nation tabs Mr. Training Camp for every team, from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a potential quarterback of the future.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Matt Patricia said Marvin Jones and Mike Daniels will be out there working Monday. Daniels hasn't practiced since he signed with the Lions and Jones didn't make the trip to Houston last week. Those are two big pieces for the Lions if they are going to be successful in 2019. They'll be working at least on a limited basis to "see how they go through it."

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

For those still interested in the issue (or nonissue) of Matthew Stafford not playing in the first two preseason games, the quarterback said him not playing in the two games had nothing to do with his injured back from last year. The back, he says, feels "good," and just does "a little core routine" for injury prevention, which is not uncommon among athletes. As for whether or not he needs time to play this preseason, he left it in the hands of the coaches: “When they tell me to play I'm going to go play," Stafford said. "I played a lot of football. Obviously I love playing so any time we go out there and practice I'm always itching to get out there and play. But whenever coach lets me or tells me to go play, I'll play.” When this will really pop up as a potential issue is if Stafford doesn't play against Buffalo since the Lions will have no joint practices this week and that is usually considered the game that most closely simulates the regular season.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Matt Patricia, when asked about why Matthew Stafford didn't play Saturday, said he felt they got the work they needed during the joint practices with Houston. That's, in part, because they were more elaborate, scheme-wise, during the practices than they were in the game. So he wanted to get David Fales and Josh Johnson reps to evaluate them. "I thought it was great competition for those guys," Patricia said. The backup quarterback spot is up for debate between Fales, Johnson and Tom Savage, who suffered a concussion last week against New England.

4d

Watson throws TD pass to help Texans over Lions 30-23

Deshaun Watson took advantage of one series in his preseason debut looking sharp in directing a 75-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins to help the Houston Texans to a 30-23 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday night.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Pay little attention to the fact that the Detroit Lions lost to Houston, 30-23, on Saturday night. The preseason is all about development and individual performances and there were positives on both offense and defense for the franchise after an opener where almost everything went incredibly poorly. Safety Will Harris, defensive end Romeo Okwara, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, quarterback David Fales and wide receivers Brandon Powell, Tom Kennedy and Travis Fulgham all flashed multiple times throughout the night. For most of them, that's incredibly important because other than Harris and Okwara -- and perhaps Reeves-Maybin -- everyone else is in question for whether or not they'll make the final roster. Harris was perhaps the biggest standout, recovering a fumble for a 19-yard touchdown along with a team-high six tackles. Considering where he was at the beginning of camp, where he often struggled, this is a major improvement for this year's third round pick. If he continues to play like he did against Houston, it'll give Detroit more potential flexibility with how it constructs its initial 53-man roster in two weeks.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

When the Lions watch the tape of this first half against Houston, they'll see some strong individual performances on defense (not so much on offense). Jalen Reeves-Maybin showed a great ability to read where a ballcarrier might be going and showed flashes of coverage ability. He is showing why he could be a good depth and sub-package linebacker this fall. Will Harris has looked incredibly sharp and is starting to show why the Lions used a third-round pick on him this year. Seeing this from him in the preseason should be helpful because safety might be one of Detroit's deepest positions. If he continues to ascend, it could give the Lions more options in how they construct their roster. Romeo Okwara continued to build on his breakout 2018 and should fit in well to the defensive line rotation. Offensively, not much for Detroit to be excited about other than some offensive line improvement (only one sack) and Kerryon Johnson looking like he's back to normal. But Josh Johnson was inconsistent and for the majority of the first half, the Lions just struggled to move the ball.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Andrew Adams, with an interception of Joe Webb, just continuing what he's done all training camp long. He has shown fantastic instincts for the ball in almost every practice and seems to be putting himself in good position considering how much of a premium Detroit placed on finding playmakers this offseason. He's not going to win a starting job (Tracy Walker and Quandre Diggs are pretty well locked in there) but he could end up being a sub package player for Detroit in passing situations that quarterbacks are going to have to be aware of. One of the most consistent players throughout Lions camp.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

The Lions have had a couple of defensive bright spots early on against the Texans. Jahlani Tavai, the team's second round pick, got the start with Jarrad Davis out and was adept at shedding blocks along with reading Houston's running backs and offensive line to plug holes fast. Have to imagine once the Lions get their defensive line to full strength with Damon Harrison and Da'Shawn Hand that things might open up even more for him. Third round pick Will Harris got some early run and had a PBU and a few tackles. Showed decent speed and got to the ball quickly. The Lions also played some of their expected veteran starters in the secondary, including Darius Slay, deep into the first quarter.

Michael Rothstein ESPN Staff Writer 

Matthew Stafford not playing tonight for Detroit (have to figure he'll make his debut next week against Buffalo) and the starting quarterback is Josh Johnson, who signed with Detroit a week ago after Tom Savage suffered a concussion against New England. This is a big opportunity for Johnson, who is trying to win the No. 2 job even though he came into camp super late. He's obviously had experience making the quick transition before, including last year for Washington.

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski
6dMichael Rothstein

Megatron partners in marijuana-for-CTE research

Former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and his business partner, ex-NFL lineman Rob Sims, have partnered with Harvard to research the benefits of medical marijuana for CTE and pain management.

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