Opening day for the Lions and 27 other NFL teams is just over a month away. This week, fans will finally get their first in-depth look at the team, first with Hard Knocks, premiering Tuesday, August 9th, then against the Atlanta Falcons in Detroit’s first pre-season game, Friday, August 12th. Not only will the first unit starters get their time during HBO Max’s show, but also for Week 1 of pre-season.
Dan Campbell and Falcons head coach, Arthur Smith (formerly offensive coordinator for the Titans), have been communicating and have both acknowledged playing their starters in the first quarter of Friday’s contest, according to Jeremy Reisman.
“I know they’re playing their starters early in this game, and I had already thought that was the way I wanted to go, too,” Campbell told reporters. “So I’d like to get our starters some reps in this game, maybe a quarter. Because, then again, you just can’t mimic game speed and game intensity. The only way to get ready for a season is to simulate that intensity. But at the same time, I want to be smart, too.”
The Lions will lighten the heavy-hitting contact practices leading up to Friday’s game against the Falcons. Campbell has stressed the importance of ensuring players are physically well heading into the competition. After having the Lions close their practice to the public on Monday because of the rain, the Lions will have just a few more light days of practice before heading to Ford Field at 6 p.m. on Friday.
The Lions are one-point underdogs against the Falcons. 35 points are the over/under.
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