The explanation for Josh Paschal not practicing at Day 1 of Lions’ minicamp is easy

Rookie Josh Paschal was not seen on the field at Day 1 of Lions’ minicamp Tuesday, but there’s an obvious explanation why.

With the No. 46 pick in April’s draft, the Detroit Lions took Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal. Some may have thought that was a reach, but general manager Brad Holmes made it clear Paschal was someone he had to have during a post-draft appearance on 97.1 The Ticket.

"He was one of those guys and I told Dan (Campbell), ‘If we don’t come off with this guy, I’m going to be mad.’ I told Dan that straight-up, ‘I’m going to be mad if we don’t come off with him.”"

The Lions started mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. There was near-perfect attendance, with head coach Dan Campbell taking a minute to note defensive tackle John Pensini’s absence at the facility Tuesday morning. Everyone else was apparently present in some capacity on Day 1.

Paschal is the most notable absence of those not seen on the practice field Tuesday. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of concern. So it’s probably not that he’s dealing with some sort of injury, and caution is being exercised. That would have been mentioned otherwise….probably.

There’s an easy explanation for Josh Paschal not practicing on Day 1 of minicamp

The Lions got many of their draft picks signed quickly, from Aidan Hutchinson down to Chase Lucas. The lone exception is Paschal. But a league-wide list of unsigned 2022 draft picks shows picks around Paschal’s slot at No. 46 who also aren’t signed yet, including the pick right before (David Ajabo) and after (Phidarian Mathis) him.

Participation in mandatory minicamp is only truly mandatory if you’re under contract. Thus, you can be fined for missing days. Paschal is not under contract, so his participation on the practice field would now be on his own discretion for as long as he’s not. The line is easily drawn after rookie minicamp and non-mandatory OTAs.

Let’s assume his agent has told Paschal, if only for his own protection, something like “don’t practice now until we’ve got you signed.”

The longer Paschal goes without being signed, the concern about it will grow. But as for why he didn’t practice on Tuesday, and probably won’t until his contract is signed, sealed and delivered, the explanation is obvious.