The Detroit Lions will have their first practice of training camp on Wednesday, and ahead of that head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media and provided injury updates on three key defenders.
Those defenders were defensive back Brian Branch, defensive lineman D.J. Reader and edge rusher Marcus Davenport, all of whom landed on the active/physically unable to perform list to start training camp. They can be activated at any time.
As far as Reader is concerned, Campbell says that the veteran is healed from the torn quadriceps injury he suffered last season, but he's still working to get his strength back.
Davenport, who is working his way back from an ankle injury suffered last season, and Branch, who is recovering from an offseason clean-up procedure on his foot, are both expected to take part in the team's walkthrough on Wednesday, which means they are close to being a full-go.
Dan Campbell said DJ Reader is healed and he's just working to get his strength back. Davenport and Branch will be at walkthrough today, pointing that they're really close. None of those players had setbacks during the summer.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network (@Justin_Rogers) July 24, 2024
One player we did not receive an update on was fourth-round pick and offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, who was surprisingly placed on the active/non-football injury list.
It isn't clear what Manu is dealing with, and his injury appears to have occurred in between the end of the offseason program and the start of training camp, as he took part in spring practices.
After a four-day acclimation period to start training camp, Campbell says the team will strap on the pads on Monday.