The Detroit Lions took part in their third session of organized team activities on Thursday, but this time around it was open to the media, the first such session Detroit has had since OTAs began on May 21.
Prior to practice, Lions coaches met with the media, including head coach Dan Campbell, who touched on the team's Super Bowl aspirations in 2024 after finishing last season in the NFC Championship Game.
When asked if it's Super Bowl or bust for the Lions this coming season, Campbell had the perfect answer: "I don't see bust. I see Super Bowl. I don't know what bust is."
"You've got to set yourself up no different than last year, certain things you gotta do to really make that valid and to make that a reality," Campbell added. "You've got to give yourself the best odds you can. You need to win the division; you need the best seeding you can possibly do. OK, well how do you do that? You've got to start with where we're at now. You've got to go back to work. You've got to do all the little things, which to this point, our guys have done."
Well said. Now, the biggest takeaways from Detroit's open session at OTAs on Thursday.
Lions OTAs takeaways
Brian Branch update
In the days after the draft, safety Brian Branch was spotted in a walking boot and using a scooter to get around. At the time, it wasn't clear what was up with the 2023 second-round pick.
But head coach Dan Campbell shed some light on that on Thursday, revealing that Branch underwent a clean-up procedure after the 2023 season, although he didn't go into specifics on what was worked on.
Campbell says DB Brian Branch had a clean-up procedure. Says he's progressing well and will be ready to go by camp -- if not, before the season.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) May 23, 2024
Campbell said that Branch should be good to go by training camp, but left the door open for his recovery to take up until the start of the season. Either way, Branch is expected to be ready for Week 1.
Who didn't take part?
Not spotted: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, OT Taylor Decker, C Frank Ragnow, G Kayode Awosika, EDGE Marcus Davenport, EDGE Josh Paschal, EDGE James Houston, DT DJ Reader, LB Alex Anzalone
Spotted but not taking part: DB Brian Branch (still in boot and on scooter)
Limited: QB Nate Sudfeld, RB Zonovan Knight, LB Derrick Barnes, CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Terrion Arnold, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., S Kerby Joseph
Source: Jeremy Reisman, Pride of Detroit
Terrion Arnold with the ones
According to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com, Arnold was playing with the first-team defense on Thursday and was on the outside opposite Carlton Davis. Twentyman added that he didn't see Arnold get challenged much.
Amik Robertson fills in for Branch
With Branch sidelined, the Lions utilized Robertson in the slot, per Twentyman. The free-agent acquisition also saw time on the boundary, showing the kind of versatility the Lions value in their players.
Jameson Williams praised by Campbell
Campbell had plenty of praise for Williams, who he says has been the team's most improved player during the offseason. Campbell said that Williams is “a man on a mission," while also adding that Williams has improved "everywhere."
"I think I've matured a lot," Williams said. "Coming in the league, I still had some childish ways. Wanted to do what I wanted to do, and how I wanted to do it. Sometimes you got to listen, and just be on the right track. Follow the right path, and you'll be down the right way."
Kicker update
Special teams coach Dave Fipp noted that kicker Michael Badgley has worked on his leg strength this offseason and there is a noticeable difference. Twentyman reports that Badgley knocked through a 53-yarder with plenty of room to spare, and he later nailed one from 60-plus.
Per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, Fipp touched on UDFA kicker James Turner having a big leg, even though he didn't get much of a chance to show it in college. Turner is Badgley's only competition currently.
Fipp was asked about UFL star and Michigan Panthers kicker, Jake Bates, who the Lions reportedly have interest in. Fipp declined to go into specifics about Bates but did say he's well aware of what the kicker has done this season. We recently posted a video of Bates drilling a 70-yarder in practice. The man is a machine.
