Lions Minicamp Watchlist Recap: 2026
A full rundown of what we learned at minicamp
Now that Detroit Lions 2026 minicamp is over, let’s review the key outcomes of players on the pre-minicamp watchlists - Part 1:Recovering Players & Part 2: Residual Concerns.
Overall, the news was stable - players who were expected to see an upgrade have done so, while players who were not expected to participate have remained that way.
Brian Branch, S
Injury status: Right Achilles rupture (December 4, 2025)
Pre-minicamp expectations: No practice. But there is a chance that Branch could do some rehab work on the side.
Minicamp outcome: No practice and no visible workouts.
Here is minicamp video shot by @colton_pouncy where you can see Branch and Joseph walking off:
As a keen-eyed reader noted, there appears to be atrophy of Branch’s right calf.
We’ve seen this kind of leg atrophy recently with Aidan Hutchinson (tib/fib) and Derrick Barnes (MCL/PCL). It’s expected and I’m not overly concerned about it. Once he starts doing his jumping/sprinting workouts, the muscle will regain quickly.
The concern is we have yet to see him doing any of these kinds of workouts yet. That means don’t expect an early return in time for the start of the season.
Kerby Joseph, S
Injury status: Left knee injury with last game appearance on October 12, 2025
Pre-minicamp expectations: No practice.
Minicamp outcome: No practice.
No good news, but also nothing unexpected for Joseph, as mileage management is the consistent theme. After 10-months to recover, we’ll know one way or another once he tests his knee in training camp.
Regarding training camp practice, Lions’ safety coach Jim O’Neil stated: “You can't take a year off football and expect to go play at an All-Pro level. Does he need to do it every day? Probably not."
Nobody knows how Joseph’s knee is going to respond to starting football activities again. I think the coaches are praying for the best, but fully prepared for the worst.
Sam LaPorta, TE
Injury status: Herniated disc surgery (November 2025)
Pre-minicamp expectations: Walk/jog-throughs.
Minicamp outcome: Walk-throughs.
LaPorta should gradually ramp up in training camp. The concern is if his spine will get aggravated again once he starts full-contact work. Repeated hyperextension of the back can cause problems - as explained in my Sam LaPorta spine analysis.
Ennis Rakestraw, CB
Injury status: Illness (June 2026)
Pre-minicamp expectations: Likely full participation.
Minicamp outcome: Full participation.
Continued good news so far this offseason for Rakestraw who has been fully healthy throughout. Next hurdle will be to get through training camp healthy. It was last training camp when Rakestraw hurt his shoulder and needed season-ending surgery.
Dan Campbell doesn’t plan on dialing down the training camp intensity, so Rakestraw will be tested.
Terrion Arnold, CB
Injury status: Two shoulder surgeries (December 2025)
Pre-minicamp expectations: Limited practices as precaution.
Minicamp outcome: Participated.
Arnold stated: “Entering camp, obviously I want to be 100%, but right now I would say I’m at about 75 - 80%.“ Entering his third season, this is a big year for Arnold to prove himself as a solid starting CB. Health will be a big factor after shoulder surgeries and a concussion last year.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB
Injury status: Illness (June 2026)
Pre-minicamp expectations: Likely full participation.
Minicamp outcome: Full participation.
After demonstrating 100% availability last season, Ya-Sin may be counted on again given the frequency of Lion CB injuries the past couple years.
Tyler Conklin, TE
Injury status: Unknown
Pre-minicamp expectations: Uncertain.
Minicamp outcome: Did not practice.
Uncertain what is going on with Conklin after missing the final week of OTA and minicamp. The Lions will need reliable TE depth given the the durability concerns of Sam LaPorta’s spine.
Teddy Bridgewater, QB
Injury status: Unknown
Pre-minicamp expectations: Uncertain.
Minicamp outcome: Participated.
Good to see Bridgewater back after a brief absence. Jared Goff has been extremely reliable, but you just never know when the backup QB will be needed.
Ben Bartch, OG
Injury status: Lisfranc surgery (December 2025)
Pre-minicamp expectations: No practice.
Minicamp outcome: No practice.
Dan Campbell sounds confident Bartch will be ready for training camp, but the lack of practice throughout OTA and minicamp introduces doubt. Bartch’s Lisfranc merited him a 9/10 medical concern level upon signing.
DJ Reed, CB
Injury: Left hamstring (September 2025)
Pre-minicamp expectations: Full practice.
Minicamp outcome: Full practice.
All indications are that Reed looks physically great this offseason in his recovery from his hamstring. Jeff Risdon raved about Reed in his minicamp video review. The Lions really need Reed to lock down the #1 CB spot given the many ongoing injury concerns of the secondary.