Dan Campbell Injury Updates & Teddy Bridgewater Retires
Plus, review of the 2 new Detroit Lions signings.
Dan Campbell had some big news regarding the Detroit Lions backup quarterback position today. He also provided injury updates to Ben Bartch, Payton Turner, and DJ Reed.
Here are some of his quotes from his August 9, 2026 press conference along with my analysis. After that, I review the Detroit Lions two new signings, Ryan Cooper and Amen Ogbongbemiga.
Teddy Bridgewater (QB) - Surprise Retirement
Bridgewater is going to step away.
We’re going to add somebody. We’d like to add a veteran quarterback.
Luke needs reps, he needs a million reps.
It’s uncertain if Bridgewater’s retirement is health or injury related, but there was no indication of such from Dan Campbell. Bridgewater has no known active injury issues.
Dan Campbell was noticeably choked up talking about Bridgewater, but it’s uncertain what this means. Maybe it rules out another late-season return for Bridgewater like we saw in the 2024 season.
We’ll see what kind of veteran backup the Lions can find midway through training camp. It doesn’t sound like the Lions are comfortable with Luke Altmyer as the backup if he still needs a million more reps.
Update: The Lions are signing Josh Dobbs to a 1-year, $1.425M deal with $475K guaranteed.
Ben Bartch (OG) - Lisfranc Recovery Update
I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t hopeful he would have been out there more than now. But I also know there’s no setbacks or anything like that.
We’re hoping to get him about 10 reps maybe.
He’s missed some days. That’s just part of coming off an injury. That’s the hand you’re dealt.
Bartch had a 9/10 medical concern level upon signing due to his Lisfranc surgery last year. He missed all of OTA and minicamp and the early part of training camp. It’s clear that the Lisfranc recovery has been a bigger problem than the Lions expected.
This health uncertainty doesn’t bode well for Bartch’s chances of making the roster, as the Lions are prioritizing reliability and availability this year.
Payton Turner (EDGE) - Lingering Back Issue
Nothing new really. He’s got a back that we’re just trying to get to calm down. That’s a day-to-day type thing.
Like with Bartch, Turner had a very high medical concern level (10/10) upon signing. It was reassuring that Turner was healthy throughout OTA and minicamp. However, this mystery back issue that occurred at the start of camp that was supposed to be short-term has entered the 2-week mark.
If “day-to-day” starts becoming week-to-week, the Lions may decide to move on.
DJ Reed (CB) - New Groin Injury
His is more kind of groin. That’s not a major issue. We feel good about that.
Reed notably had a moderate-severe hamstring strain last season that kept him out for about two months. It’s good to hear this recent groin strain is much less severe. No reason to take any chances in training camp for this veteran.
Preseason Game 1: Will the Starters Play?
I don’t see Goff playing. Even if we didn’t have a quarterback, Goff’s not playing. We’ll put Tom Kennedy at quarterback.
I don’t see playing a lot of our guys. We’ll play some of our guys that are in these competitions for spots.
Don’t expect any entrenched starters to play in preseason Game 1 vs the Bengals. However, Dan Campbell went on to say that preseason Game 2 vs the Commanders is a different story.
With the Lions not having any joint practices this year along with the dreadful performance in Week 1 vs the Packers last year, it might be worth the risk for the starters to play a tiny bit in preseason.
Detroit Lions Sign 2 New Players
Below are the medical reports for Ryan Cooper and Amen Ogbongbemiga. For all the free agent medical reports, visit Lions Free Agency 2026 in the navigation bar above.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 10 (extreme).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data includes playoffs & courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Ryan Cooper, CB (25)
Medical Concern Level: 1/10
2025: Waived with (unspecified) injury settlement
There are no reports of any significant injuries for Cooper. In his career, he has bounced around to various NFL practice squads as well as a stint in the UFL. There are no NFL game appearances for him.
Cooper’s signing may be in response to the recent loss of CB De’Shawn Rucker to IR due to an ankle injury.
Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB (28)
Medical Concern Level: 4/10
2025: 9 games played. Knee, to IR then returned. Later in season - hamstring, concussion.
2024: 17 games
2023: 15 games
2022: 18 games
2021: 15 games
Ogbongbemiga brings a lot of NFL game experience, mostly on special teams. Last season was hampered by numerous injuries, which raises some concern for the upcoming season.
Ogbongbemiga’s signing may be related to Malcolm Rodriguez recent ankle injury on August 4. There were reports that Rodriguez was taped up and walking around after the injury, which suggests a mild severity.