Allen Park — The Detroit Lions had their first open OTA practice on Thursday at their practice facility.
Here are some notes and observations:
► It’s been three seasons since the Lions have had a defender tally 3.0 sacks in a game, but first-round draft pick Aidan Hutchinson managed to record sacks on three consecutive plays during a two-minute drill during the day’s practice.
Expectations should be somewhat tempered given Hutchinson was working against the second-team offensive line, specifically a pair of undrafted rookies, but that didn’t make it any less exciting to see some early production from the former Michigan standout.
The first sack came while working against offensive tackle Obinna Eze, while the second and third occurred while rushing from an interior alignment against former Ferris State standout Zein Obeid. Hutchinson overwhelmed both blockers with his initial burst off the snap.
► All three offensive groups failed to score during the two-minute drill, which saw the unit take over at their own 40-yard line with 45 seconds remaining. Starting quarterback Jared Goff overcame having his first throw batted down at the line of scrimmage by Jashon Cornell by completing a deep dig to receiver DJ Chark, putting the offense on the outside edge of field-goal range.
Goff’s next three passes, all to Josh Reynolds, fell incomplete. Goff was wide on two corner patterns, although Reynolds definitely could and should have caught the first. The third ball was underthrown and Reynolds wasn’t able to work back through the tight coverage of Will Harris down the right sideline.
That left kicker Austin Seibert with a 54-yard attempt that the gusty wind took wide left, despite the effort having plenty of distance.
► The second unit’s series was over in a blink, as backup quarterback Tim Boyle threw behind slot receiver Kalif Raymond, running a slant, on the first snap. That errant throw was picked off by cornerback Mike Hughes, who returned it for a touchdown.
► David Blough came in and completed a wheel route to rookie running back Greg Bell, putting the third-team offense on the edge of the red zone before Hutchinson’s sack spree. Riley Patterson clanged his field-goal attempt (estimated to be about 50 yards) off the left post.
► As noted above, Harris was in coverage on Reynolds. That’s because the defensive back spent much of the day working as an outside cornerback with the top defensive unit opposite Amani Oruwariye.
That’s likely Jeff Okudah’s job once he’s fully cleared to return after tearing his Achilles last season. The good news on that front is Okudah was on the field and participating in some of the walk-through and individual drills as he progresses through his rehab.
► Another defensive back potentially on the move is Ifeatu Melifonwu. Selected in the third round of the 2021 draft, the young defensive back spent much of the day playing safety as the team explores the best spot for him going forward.
That alignment wasn’t exclusive, as Melifonwu had a pass breakup near the sideline while playing cornerback.
► There was a brief shoving match between guard Logan Stenberg and defensive lineman Bruce Hector after Stenberg aggressively took Hector to the ground. Several teammates quickly jumped in to separate the two. Not surprisingly, Penei Sewell was in the heart of the action.
Sewell couldn’t help but crack a smile when asked about the brief scuffle after practice.
“Just some little, friendly conversations happening on the field,” Sewell said. “I just want to join in. I might miss a joke or something.”
Asked if Stenberg had any good jokes.
“Oh, man, I can’t say it because it’s a little profanity, but it was a funny joke though.”
► Among the Lions not out on the practice field were tight end T.J. Hockenson and Michael Brockers. Hockenson was excused because of an illness, while it’s likely Brockers isn’t participating in the voluntary practices, much like last year, his first season with Detroit.
► A handful of players were in attendance but sidelined by injury. That group included cornerbacks Jerry Jacobs (ACL) and rookie Chase Lucas.
► The team closed practice with a one-on-one, open-field tackle angle drill, conducted by special teams coordinator Dave Fipp. The coaching staff, particularly defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant, running backs coach Duce Staley and receivers coach Antwaan Randle El, were animatedly cheering on the results, which were largely dominated by the defense.
One offensive player who thrived was Raymond, who easily juked past nickel corner AJ Parker on one rep, setting up a final matchup between Raymond and Jarrad Davis, who was selected by the coaches and his teammates after some earlier success. This time, it didn’t go well for the veteran linebacker, who lunged past the shifty receiver as he cleanly cut back inside.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers