Detroit Lions 2026 Training Camp Photo Analysis: Week 1
With updates on Vaki, Firkser, Keys, Rodriguez, & Barnes
The Detroit Lions regularly post pictures of practice on the official website DetroitLions.com. Here are selected pictures with health, injury, and entertainment interest from the first week of training camp.
Included are the latest injury updates and analysis for Sione Vaki, Anthony Firkser, and Lawrence Keys as taken from Dan Campbell’s August 4 press conference. Also included are injury news from the August 4 practice regarding Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes.
Tate Ratledge, RG #69 - Neck roll
Ratledge started wearing a neck roll in Week 10 of the 2025 season, and he is again sporting the neck roll here in 2026 training camp.
Ratledge showed multiple signs of a possible neck issue last year...
The mechanisms seen on video can cause stingers, and he exhibits arm signs which can be consistent with stingers. Repeated stingers can require some missed time, but have a good long-term prognosis as long as there isn’t an underlying spinal issue.
Ratledge almost certainly had imaging of his neck and spine last year. Since he didn’t miss a game all season, it reassures that the imaging did not show any concerns.
Importantly, the neck roll makes him look super cool…
Cedrick Wilson, WR #86 - Left leg sleeve
Wilson had knee clean-up surgery in 2025, which caused him to miss some games early in the season. It’s possible this leg sleeve is related to that issue.
So far in camp, he has reportedly been looking great. Here is a picture of him making a nice 1-handed snag without the leg sleeve…
Sam LaPorta, TE #87 blocking Levi Onwuzurike, DT #95
Interestingly, here we have 2 players battling each other who have both had lower spine surgeries.
The Lions have started full contact practices and this picture exemplifies the action that over time may have led to LaPorta’s herniated disc issue. Blocking causes hyperextension of the back which puts strain on the lower spine. Based on his symptoms, LaPorta’s likely disc herniation was at L4-L5 or L5-S1.
On the other side is Levi Onwuzurike who has made a remarkable recovery from an L5-S1 fusion in 2022. Currently, Levi is trying to make another successful comeback from a major surgery - an ACL around May of 2025.
Sione Vaki, RB #33 - Before eye injury & nasal fracture
Vaki got hit in the face on August 3 causing a nasal fracture and eye injury as reported by Dan Campbell.
The nasal fracture isn’t a significant long-term concern as many NFL players have even returned to play in the same game. The eye injury likely includes a corneal abrasion which can be painful, but heals quickly within a few days. Expect his next picture to include a cool-looking visor.
Lawrence Keys, WR #80 - Before hamstring strain
According to Dan Campbell, Keys suffered what sounds like a mild hamstring on August 3. Hamstrings are extremely common during camp and a minor one isn’t a concern. Of more concern for Keys is his history of multiple foot injuries in recent years.
Tyleik Williams, DT #91 - Weight loss
Tyleik stated he lost 50 pounds in the offseason. Here he is looking fit and ready to take the 2nd-year bump.
Thomas Harper, S #12
Harper makes a play here which is good to see. It will also be good to see in training camp if he can modify his tackling technique to prevent taking knees to the head like last season.
He suffered 2 concussions in this way last December. If Harper can stay healthy, he could see a lot of starting snaps at safety this season.
Jackson Meeks, TE #13 & Dan Jackson, S #17
Both of these healthy players have an opportunity to shine given the injury issues at their respective positions.
Recently-signed TE Anthony Firkser fractured his fibula on August 3 and has been put on IR. If it’s an isolated fracture without something like a high-ankle sprain, Firkser could be ready to go in about 7 weeks similar to Christian Mahogany last season. Maybe the Lions will waive Firkser with an injury settlement and bring him back later in the season.
Meeks hauling in passes could be a common sight if the Lions TE room can’t get healthy and stay healthy. Similarly on the other side, 2nd-year Dan Jackson has an opening to make an impact in the banged-up safety room. Jackson is looking healthy after an unspecified leg injury in last preseason.
Alim McNeill, DT #54
All indications are that McNeill is looking like a total beast in his second year back from his 2024 ACL. His interior disruption would be a gamechanger for the defense.
Malcolm Rodriguez, LB #44 - Before ankle injury
Rodrigo reportedly left practice on August 4 with an ankle injury. Per Colton Pouncy, he had his left ankle taped and was walking around fine after practice.
Since players will often be placed in a precautionary walking boot for ankle sprains, the fact that he was not in a boot is an excellent sign that this injury is very minor.
Derrick Barnes - Before knee injury
During the August 4 practice, Barnes left early with injury. He told Nolan Bianchi that “it was just a little bit of a knee injury and that he’ll be fine.” Good news here. Barnes was fully healthy last season after recovering from a surgical MCL/PCL knee injury in 2024.