As training camp opens for the Detroit Lions, we have an update on the injury second-round rookie Josh Pashal is dealing with.
On Wednesday morning before the first training camp practice, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell provided some injury updates. Jeff Okudah and Romeo Okwara are at different stages in their recoveries from Achilles’ tears, with Okwara on the PUP list and Okudah good to go. But the most interesting update came on rookie defensive end Josh Paschal.
Paschal missed time during minicamp in June due to what was deemed to be a “lower extremity” injury. The issue dates back to the end of last season while he was playing for Kentucky, as he was injured in the regular season finale and missed the Wildcats’ bowl game. We are now basically eight months from when he was injured.
That the injury has lingered this long is an automatic concern for the Lions. While the team/Campbell went with NHL terminology to vaguely describe it, Paschal’s injury was previously tabbed as a groin and leg issue.
Josh Paschal injury update: Will the Lions’ rookie DE miss significant time?
Campbell has now pinpointed Paschal’s exact issue.
"Paschal had sports hernia, essentially, a version of sports hernia,” Campbell said. “That’s what he’s working with. He’s doing well, but it’ll be a little bit. He’s doing good. He’s progressing.”"
It doesn’t seem like Paschal will miss a lot of practice time. But given the nature of the injury, the fact it lingered and he also may have aggravated it before June’s minicamp, caution is well-founded at this early stage. For a few more days, it is still only July. The Lions want their second-round pick ready to go on Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Paschal and Okwara’s absences have the Lions looking thin along the defensive line as training camp gets rolling. But some others will have a better opportunity to get noticed by the coaching staff.