Less than a week into training camp, the Detroit Lions already find themselves managing the injuries of three rookies. Speaking with the media on Monday, head coach Dan Campbell provided an update on each of their statuses, and how much time, if any, they would miss.
First-round right tackle Blake Miller was limited in practice on Sunday. No reason was given, but the decision was precautionary. Campbell said that Miller "wanted to do more" yesterday and that he "feels good" regarding Miller's return to practice on Monday, which was the first practice in pads.
Second-round EDGE Derrick Moore will have to wait a little longer for his return from a "minor" groin strain after a strong start to training camp. Campbell saying of the matter, "Derrick Moore, we're hoping about 7-10 days, here. So just kind of a minor strain, which is good news."
With that timetable, Moore is unlikely to play in the Lions' first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on August 13th. Barring any setbacks or new developments, he should be ready to go for the team's lone preseason home game against the Washington Commanders on August 22nd.
The news for fourth-round linebacker Jimmy Rolder wasn't as good as Miller and Moore. Campbell confirmed that Rolder suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him "out for a while." The Lions have since signed former Second-Team All-Pro Devin White to fill in that void for the time being.
Promising Lions rookie Jimmy Rolder will miss significant time with a hamstring injury
Rolder will be the second Lions rookie set to miss time this regular season, after fifth-round wide receiver Kendrick Law was placed on the season-ending injury reserve due to a torn ACL. Luckily, Rolder is expected to return this season as Campbell said the injury is not "a season-ender."
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Hamstring timelines can be a bit weird, especially since we don't know the full scope of its severity. Not needing surgery is encouraging for the offseason stand out and could point to a return on the optimistic end of that timeline. Given the Lions' mid-October Bye week, an October 25 debut against the Green Bay Packers right after the Bye could be a reasonable target date.
Despite some optimistic prognoses, Campbell concluded his update saying that it was "unfortunate" to see his rookies miss any time, adding, "These reps are valuable, man. You miss valuable, valuable time."
Still, it could've been way worse and that, Campbell reiterated, was "good news."
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