Lions training camp update: 2 players miss practice for personal reasons
Jul 26, 2024
Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Lions were missing two players from Friday’s practice for personal reasons, including Jameson Williams. The Detroit Lions were missing two key players for Friday’s training camp practice: wide receiver Jameson Williams and defensive back Brian Branch. According to team sources, both players’ absences were excused and for personal reasons.
Williams has had a strong start to camp, picking up explosive plays in each of the first two contests. He’s expected to be the team’s second wide receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, and the Lions staff continues to talk up his progress this offseason.
“He’s a guy who can score on one play,” quarterback Jared Goff said Friday. “You’ve seen it quite a bit in his career, he gets the ball and scores quite a bit. He just continues to get better. It’s exciting. His consistency has raised a ton. He knows what time it is for himself and our team, and he’s come to work really well.”
Branch has been limited to just walkthrough work on the first two days of camp, as he returns from cleanup offseason surgery. The Lions are intentionally taking it slow with him as he continues to learn the safety position in Detroit’s defense.
In addition to those two players, the Lions were also missing Christian Mahogany and DJ Reader. Per coach Dan Campbell, Mahogany has been dealing with an illness since the start of training camp. Meanwhile, Reader is still on the mend from tearing his quad back in December. On Thursday, Reader was going through rehab drills with a trainer, but he had a day of rest on Friday.
“Reader’s on course, man,” coach Dan Campbell said on Wednesday. “We’re not in any hurry with him, but he’s doing well, he’s getting his strength back. The injury has healed, it’s just a matter of getting him to that point where now we feel comfortable getting him out there competing around others.”
Lastly, several players continue to be limited in action, as they continue to recover from offseason ailments, including running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Marcus Davenport.