3 surprise standouts so far in Detroit Lions training camp

1. DE/OLB Austin Bryant

Bryant got some notoriety for being part of a fight during Thursday’s practice, which as the Lions added defensive line talent this offseason might push him to the wrong side of the roster bubble (if he wasn’t already there). But with Romeo Okwara (Achilles’) and rookie Josh Paschal (hernia surgery) out on the PUP list, the 2019 fourth-round pick has been working primarily with the second-team defense and he’s making the most of the opportunity.

Head coach Dan Campbell has praised Bryant.

"He’s always been all-out, all the time. That’s what I appreciate about him….. I really feel these last two or three days here, he’s begun to grow here in this camp. You can feel him coming on. He’s been pretty disruptive, he’s using his length. I like where he’s at."

Kyle Meinke of MLive used the term “violence” to describe what Bryant has done so far in camp, leaving out the punch he threw at offensive tackle Dan Skipper on Thursday. Via Justin Rogers of The Detroit News, Bryant is embracing his battle for a roster spot.

"I think it’s a process,” Bryant said. “Man, look, we’re just a week into camp. So nobody’s made the team yet, the roster’s not set, we haven’t even played a preseason game. So man, I’m just taking it day-by-day, and enjoying this process.”"

With Okwara and Paschal both possible to stay on the PUP list into the season, Bryant is doing what he needs to do to move toward securing a spot on the 53-man roster. The rest of camp, and upcoming preseason games, will be more proving ground he’ll need to take advantage of.