Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from Monday’s Detroit Lions’ training camp practice.
▶ There’s a difference between saying you’re 100% and actually being able to perform at your highest level, but safety Tracy Walker is making a strong case he’s legitimately back to his old self, less than 10 months after suffering a torn Achilles.
Walker found himself in perfect position to intercept a deep ball off the arm of backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld. Then, later in the session, Walker drove forward hard and knocked down a ball intended for rookie tight end Sam LaPorta.
▶ Walker wasn’t the only defensive back getting his hands on a pass. Rookies Brian Branch and Steven Gilmore also recorded PBUs, and safety Brady Breeze recovered to dislodge a deep pass intended for Trinity Benson.
▶ After barely doing anything on the first day of practice, recently acquired receiver Denzel Mims made a couple of plays with the second-team offense, including an impressive one-handed grab outside his frame. The throw from Sudfeld on an out route was well wide, but the rangy Mims was able to fully extend, get a hand on it, and tip the ball to himself while covered by linebacker Jack Campbell.
A few plays later, Mims blasted through the jam of cornerback Starling Thomas V, knocking the rookie’s helmet off in the process, before snagging a deep throw down the right sideline.
▶ Campbell might have gotten beaten by Mims, which is a tough ask for any linebacker, but the rookie still had a strong day, particularly with his run fits, regularly plugging up the backs’ run lanes.
▶ Jameson Williams pulled up after running an end-around early in practice and didn’t end up finishing the session. It could be something as simple as cramping, but it will be worth asking coach Dan Campbell about during his pre-practice press conference on Tuesday.
▶ Jared Goff consistently had his eyes downfield, looking to uncork some deep shots, but the coverage largely dictated checking it down. But the starting quarterback did find a window when the safety stayed shallow, delivering a perfectly placed ball to Kalif Raymond in the middle of the field after the receiver ran past the coverage of Jerry Jacobs.
▶ The Lions spent a good chunk of practice time working on special teams, including multiple segments dedicated to kickoff coverage, as some of the roster’s new pieces are implemented. In terms of return men, it was the expected group with Justin Jackson, Jermar Jefferson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Maurice Alexander and Raymond handling those duties.
Also part of the special-teams work was some field goal attempts. Riley Patterson and Parker Romo combined to make all 10 of their attempts, ranging from 32-44 yards.
▶ A day after Graham Glasgow handled first-team reps at right guard, the Lions were back to using Halapoulivaati Vaitai in that spot. It’s a competition, but Vaitai should be considered the favorite based on the rotations through the spring.
▶ Rookie receiver Antoine Green and Sudfeld seem to be forming some downfield chemistry, as the two connected on a deep ball for the second time in as many days.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers