Most of those players should return next week, according to head coach Dan Campbell’s statement on Tuesday.
The timing of the Detroit Lions’ return to health is perfect. Throughout camp, the club has lost several key players to injury, but head coach Dan Campbell stated on Tuesday that most of those players should be back the following week when the preseason concludes and the team prepares for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on September 8 at Ford Field. Following Saturday’s preseason finale against Pittsburgh, running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring), guard Kevin Zeitler (shoulder), lineman Dan Skipper (ankle), tight end Sam LaPorta (hamstring), and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (finger) are among the players Campbell identified as anticipated to return. “Hopefully on Sunday, a large group of the lads will return, and they will practice next week before we get back.”
Ole Miss edge rusher Isaac Ukwu, who was not selected, was one player Campbell mentioned as being in that mix. Ukwu has had a very consistent preseason and training camp. Without being asked, Campbell remarked, “I just bring up a guy like Ukwu, man.” “He was last on the depth chart when he arrived here in the spring. People were asking, ‘Well, where can this guy play?'” Is he a defensive end? He’s not the biggest person, and he’s not truly a SAM. And he plays much bigger than he is, and he has only gotten better and better over time. He plays for longer than his stature suggests. Whenever we offer him a chance, he simply appears. He’s merely one of the men that we have.