Detroit Free Press

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 10:44 AM EDT Aug 28, 2020 A lingering leg injury that’s kept D’Andre Swift off the practice field for more than a week could impact what role the Detroit Lions rookie running back has to start the season. Swift will miss his seventh straight practice Friday because of an

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 6:00 AM EDT Aug 28, 2020 The Detroit Lions had Alex Karras in the 1960s. The Minnesota Vikings had Alan Page in the ’70s.  The Chicago Bears had Richard Dent in the ’80s. And the Green Bay Packers had Reggie White in the ’90s.  At some point, every team

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:50 PM EDT Aug 27, 2020 I’m taking a different approach with observations today. I’ve got plenty of news and notes from Detroit Lions practice later in this column, but this seems like such an important time in this country that I wanted to share a few thoughts on

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 5:41 PM EDT Aug 27, 2020 I’m taking a different approach with observations today. I’ve got plenty of news and notes from Detroit Lions practice later in this column, but this seems like such an important time in this country that I wanted to share a few thoughts on

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 12:58 PM EDT Aug 27, 2020 Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai is listening to and watching his new teammates as he tries to make a leap in his second year. The Lions added veteran linebackers Jamie Collins and Reggie Ragland this offseason, and Tavai is picking up on the

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 6:01 AM EDT Aug 27, 2020 Detroit Lions linebacker Jahlani Tavai is listening to and watching his new teammates as he tries to make a leap in his second year. The Lions added veteran linebackers Jamie Collins and Reggie Ragland this offseason, and Tavai is picking up on the

Jeff Seidel Detroit Free Press Published 7:29 PM EDT Aug 26, 2020 “Nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society. Why? Because human beings are the most dynamic link to the divine on this planet.” — the late Sen. John Lewis They didn’t march across

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 7:45 PM EDT Aug 26, 2020 A day after the Detroit Lions took time away from football to discuss and shed light on serious issues like racial injustice and police brutality, the stories they heard from their teammates continued to resonate as they returned to practice. “Yesterday was just

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 3:28 PM EDT Aug 26, 2020 Matthew Stafford fumbled the first snap of 11-on-11 work at training camp practice Wednesday and immediately picked the ball up and chucked it to the side. The Detroit Lions, after a scheduled day off Monday and an impromptu day off Tuesday, practiced in

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 10:28 AM EDT Aug 26, 2020 After canceling practice Tuesday to demonstrate against police brutality, the Detroit Lions will be back on the field Wednesday — and they’ll have a couple of their injured running backs with them. Lions coach Matt Patricia said D’Andre Swift and Bo Scarbrough will

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 6:01 AM EDT Aug 26, 2020 Matthew Stafford said it’s the proudest he’s been in 12 seasons as a Lion. Matt Patricia called it an example of why he got into coaching. The Detroit Lions didn’t win any games Tuesday, and they didn’t lose any, either. What they did

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 6:01 AM EDT Aug 26, 2020 A few days ago, Matt Patricia was asked to explain how he had gotten better at his job since he became the Detroit Lions’ head coach in 2018. It was a difficult question and Patricia couldn’t cite one specific example. Even though NFL coaches

Shawn Windsor Detroit Free Press Published 8:47 PM EDT Aug 25, 2020 Not that long ago the most popular sports league in the country couldn’t run fast enough from days like Tuesday, when players began talking about police brutality and social justice.   Think about how much has changed in the last year. Think about the NFL’s reaction to Colin

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 5:17 PM EDT Aug 25, 2020 They weren’t in the mood for football, at all. And who could blame them after another unarmed Black man — someone so many of them recognized as their brother, their father, their cousin, their son — was shot eight times by Kenosha (Wisconsin) police? The Detroit

Dave Boucher Detroit Free Press Published 5:53 PM EDT Aug 25, 2020 The Detroit Lions were not known for their defensive prowess last season.  But this November, Ford Field will play an important role in protecting ballots cast in the general election.  The Lions are teaming up with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson this year

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 2:58 PM EDT Aug 25, 2020 The Detroit Lions became the one of the first professional sports teams this year to take a collective stand against police brutality by canceling practice Tuesday. Practice was moved back twice before the cancellation where players instead addressed the media about their frustration

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 9:51 AM EDT Aug 24, 2020 With a pregnant wife at home and COVID-19 on his mind, Danny Shelton figured he’d give the new face shield designed to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus a try. But a week into training camp, the Detroit Lions defensive tackle said

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:29 PM EDT Aug 23, 2020 When Jamal Agnew caught a 20-yard touchdown pass to end a two-minute drill at the end of Detroit Lions’ practice Saturday, the return specialist and cornerback-turned-wide receiver spiked the ball emphatically to the ground. “I’m happy,” Agnew said Sunday. “I’m loving it. Obviously,

Dave Birkett Detroit Free Press Published 7:09 PM EDT Aug 23, 2020 I hope this isn’t another Graham Glasgow situation, but I fear it could be. Last year, the Detroit Lions made the unconventional decision to take Glasgow, their best offensive guard, off the field for a series every half so they could give backup

Carlos Monarrez Detroit Free Press Published 6:11 PM EDT Aug 23, 2020 Detroit Lions linebacker Reggie Ragland likes his new teammates. And without wanting to presume too much, Ragland said he believes they like him, too. There was hardly any question Sunday about the mutual affection. After he intercepted a Matthew Stafford pass in a