Detroit Lions Post-OTA Complete Medical Recap: 2026
What is the Lions team health status after 3 weeks of OTA?
The Detroit Lions have completed their 9 days of OTA spanning 3 weeks for 2026. That means it’s time to do a full recap, which includes new developments and surprises. Here are the topics covered in this article:
Major injuries at OTA
Injury absences at OTA
Player health updates from Dan Campbell
Rookie participation photo tracker
But first, let’s compare my Lions Pre-OTA Watchlist expectations to what actually went down.
Kerby Joseph, S - left knee
Pre-OTA expectations: Minimal to no strenuous activity (jumping, cutting, sprinting) for Joseph during OTA’s so as to preserve his knee for real games.
OTA results: No activity for Joseph. Not good news, but tracks with expectations.
Brian Branch, S - Achilles
Pre-OTA expectations: No football activities for Branch, but hopefully we see him doing rehab work on the side.
OTA results: No activity at all for Branch, which is a slight disappointment. He was seen on the practice field but not doing anything.
Sam LaPorta, TE - herniated disc
Pre-OTA expectations: There is a pretty good chance LaPorta is available to do everything at OTA’s, although he may be limited as a precaution. If he is not doing anything at OTA, then the concern level will rise.
Pre-OTA expectations: Jog-throughs only for LaPorta. While a slight disappointment, it keeps him on track to be ready for the season.
Malcolm Rodriguez, LB - ACL
Pre-OTA expectations: Full activity for Rodriguez.
OTA results: Full participation for Rodriguez - a good sign for a bounceback year from 2024 ACL.
Dan Jackson, S - leg
Pre-OTA expectations: Jackson should be able to participate fully.
OTA results: Full participation for Jackson. No signs of concern after missing last season with an unspecified “leg” injury.
Ennis Rakestraw, CB - shoulder
Pre-OTA expectations: Rakestraw should participate fully.
OTA results: Full participation for Rakestraw. So far, it’s been a healthy offseason after shoulder surgery last August.
New Major Injuries at OTA
Fortunately, there was only a single major injury to come out of OTA…
Kendrick Law’s ACL on June 2, 2026
Here is his last picture on May 29…
Law should be ready to go by 2027 OTA.
Lions OTA Participation Notes
Kerby Joseph, S - No practice.
Brian Branch, S - No practice.
Ben Bartch, OG - No practice, related to Lisfranc surgery.
Sam LaPorta, TE - Limited to walk/jog-throughs only.
Terrion Arnold, CB - Limited practice.
Zach Horton, TE - Possibly no practice in Week 1, but returned in Week 2.
Miles Kitselman, TE - Possibly no practice in Week 2, but returned in Week 3.
Kendrick Law, WR - ACL tear in Week 2.
Tyler Conklin, TE - Possibly no practice in Week 3.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB - Possibly no practice in Week 3.
Ennis Rakestraw, CB - Missed time in Week 3 with minor illness.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB - Missed time Week 3 with minor illness.
Dan Campbell OTA Injury Updates
Here are the bottom-line takeaways of Campbell’s comments on individual players during his OTA press conferences.