Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ training camp practice Tuesday.
► Finally, the pads came on for the Lions, which meant the incorporation of some one-on-one reps, as well as a more realistic assessment on the offensive and defensive fronts.
► For the first time since camp, the wide receivers matched up head-to-head against the defensive backs. Cornerback Jeff Okudah continued his strong start, twice forcing incompletions on passes to Tyrell Williams. But it wasn’t a shutout as the big-bodied receiver managed late separation on a deep ball with a subtle push off, resulting in the sizeable gain.
For the receivers, Damion Ratley continues to make steady progress in his push for a job. He got the best of safety Will Harris while running a post pattern and blew past rookie corner Jerry Jacobs on a deep throw down the sideline.
► It was a brutal day for rookie corner AJ Parker, who had back-to-back breakups in the end zone a day earlier. Parker struggled in the one-on-ones to stay with his matchups, getting torched by Tom Kennedy on both a slant and hitch pattern, while allowing Sage Surratt to beat him on a deep corner route.
Parker’s issues continued into the full-team segments as he was beat deep by Quintez Cephus on a play-action pass down the right sideline. Amon-Ra St. Brown also got him running straight down the seam in seven-on-seven work.
Perhaps frustrated by his coverage struggles, Parker laid a big hit on running back Godwin Igwebuike late in the practice when coming up in run support.
► The defensive play of the day goes to cornerback Amani Oruwariye. On the third snap of full-team reps, quarterback Jared Goff launched a deep ball down the middle for Breshad Perriman. The ball was slightly underthrown and Oruwariye made a nice adjustment before leaping up for an impressive interception.
► That wasn’t the only turnover on the day as safety Dean Marlowe found his way into the throwing lane on a David Blough rollout. It was the second interception in as many days for the third-year quarterback who is fighting for a roster spot.
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► In addition to the interceptions, Goff put another ball on the ground, mishandling and falling on a snap.
► Speaking of Marlowe, he buried Jermar Jefferson on a special teams blocking rep, pancaking the rookie running back into the ground.
► Other than that ugly rep, Jefferson impressed with his best skill, his vision. The seventh-round draft pick showed excellent feel for his run lanes, accelerating through the initial hole and making a couple tacklers miss in the second level. He needs to make strides in the other areas of his game, from blocking to pass catching to special teams, but he can contribute this year.
► The team’s two field goal kickers, Matthew Wright and Randy Bullock, were perfect on their eight attempts, each hitting from 33, 38, 44 and 50 yards. One of the interesting things about watching Bullock kick is how short of a follow-through he has on his attempts. The motion is shorter and choppier than I’m used to seeing at the position, but it gets the job done.
► The Lions rotated through several options at nickelback on Tuesday, including some reps for rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said he likes having size at that spot because of the benefit it offers in run support.
► Linebacker Reggie Gilbert missed his second straight practice, while Quinton Dunbar continues to be out while attending to a personal issue. Defensive tackle Michael Brockers and rookie linebacker Derrick Barnes were in attendance but highly limited in their participation.
Additionally, rookie defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike and Tyrell Williams failed to finish practice. It’s unclear what happened with Onwuzurike, but Williams suffered an injury to his left hand. He returned to the field with his pinkie and ring finger taped together.
► Defensive tackle Kevin Strong, entering his third season with the Lions, had a couple of nice plays, beating his man for a would-be sack on one rep and filling a run lane for a tackle behind the line on another.
► The Lions snuck in a couple onside attempts when working on kickoffs at the end of practice. Linebacker Jahlani Tavai was ready and played the first perfectly, while Marlowe had the second bounce off his chest. Tight end Darren Fells pounced on that loose ball for the kicking side.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers