Lions vs Dolphins joint practices: 3 things I’m watching for
Dave Birkett on what he’s watching for as Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins battle in two joint practices Aug. 13-14 in Allen Park ahead of their exhibition game.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold will not take part in joint practices against the Miami Dolphins this week as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, but the team is not yet worried about his availability for the season opener.
Arnold has not practiced since he pulled a hamstring in the Lions’ intrasquad scrimmage July 29.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said before practice Wednesday he is “shooting for next week” in Arnold’s return. Initially, the Lions hoped Arnold would return last week.
The Lions open the regular season Sept. 7 against the Green Bay Packers.
“He’s getting better,” Campbell said. “He’s doing more every day, but I don’t see him being able to go through these practices.”
Arnold started 15 games and had 10 pass deflections for the Lions last season and is expected to play a key role this fall in a secondary that already has suffered injury losses this summer.
Sione Vaki and Ahmed Hassanein injury update
Second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw will miss the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, backup Khalil Dorsey remains on the physically unable to perform list as he returns from a broken leg and safeties Dan Jackson is on injured reserve and out for the year.
Campbell said rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein will take part in practice after leaving early Monday to be evaluated for a leg injury.
“It was just a little bit of a scare,” Campbell said.
And running back Sione Vaki is expected back for position drills and some team drills after missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury.
“When you can’t practice it’s always a setback, especially when he’s only had very days to where he was in,” Campbell said. “But it is what it is and that’s behind you and you got to call this Day 1, what are you going to do about it? So it’s just good to get him back on the grass.”
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
