After witnessing two seasons unravel in part due to injuries, it's understandable that Detroit Lions fans fear the injury bug.
Head coach Dan Campbell isn't going to let that fear hold him or his players back heading into training camp, saying in his presser on Wednesday that, "Yeah, we're going to push it. We're going to push."
Campbell emphasized the need to be "smart" in their training camp approach, but also stressed the importance of being ready for the season. Campbell didn't delve into the small details of what will be different, but again reiterated the possibility that starters will play more in the preseason after eliminating joint practices.
"And so I'm going to do what I think is best to prepare these guys for 17 weeks, but also, understand that, man, we got to be smart about it, and we can't break them in training camp. And so the approach will stay the same."
It's a difficult needle to thread. You can't be too cautious not to "break" players in training camp, but they can't be unprepared to play actual football games. Training camp is tough. Players are competing hard for a job and to be the best versions of themselves, and will get banged up in the process. It's the reality that all teams face.
But sometimes the seeds of a November injury are planted in July, and that's where being "smart" is going to have to come into play.
What does it mean for the Lions to be "smart" going forward?
Campbell saying that the team's "approach will stay the same" might give fans some pause, but don't interpret it as "nothing will be different." We've already seen evidence of alterations, including the aforementioned lack of joint practices and the removal of the physical portion of rookie minicamp.
What we may see during training camp is some fat trimming. Campbell has previously said how things like joint practices were "counterproductive" and how rookie minicamp practices were "not worth it." If Campbell feels something may be a waste of energy, then that's where the changes will likely be.
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An example of something to be on the lookout for in the coming months is full-tackle in practices, which San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner brought up to Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on "The St. Brown Podcast" in January. Teams can still be effective at tackling without "bringing guys to the ground" in practice. If Campbell sees it the same way, he may tweak his approach there.
But don't expect to see big wholesale changes. This team is still going to "push it" in order to be the toughest team on the field week in and week out. Because, as Campbell ended his response with, "you can't let fear of injury scare you away from what you believe in."
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