The Detroit Lions are making a noticeable shift in how they’ll approach training camp in 2026, and it could be tied to a bigger issue the team has been dealing with.
Speaking at the NFL Owners’ Meetings, head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that the Lions will not hold joint practices this summer, breaking from a trend that had become a staple during his tenure.
“I felt like we got two really good years of it, man, like, we’re really getting something out of this. And then as it kind of went on, we got into that third year, whatever that was, or ’24, I don’t know, it just felt counterproductive, man,” Campbell said via the Detroit Free Press. “It didn’t feel like we were getting what I thought we would get out of it and part of me was like, I think we would have gotten more – we’d have gotten an extra practice and we’d have gotten more done had we just gone against ourselves.”
A Change From the Norm
Since Campbell arrived in Detroit, joint practices have been a regular part of training camp.
The Lions have squared off with teams like the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Houston Texans in recent years, using those sessions to test themselves against outside competition.
But in 2026, that approach is changing.
Detroit will keep everything in-house.
Could Injuries Be Driving This?
While Campbell didn’t explicitly tie the decision to injuries, it’s hard to ignore the context.
Over the past couple of seasons, the Lions have been one of the more injury-hit teams in the NFL, particularly in key stretches.
Joint practices are intense. They’re physical. And they often bring a higher risk of minor injuries piling up before the season even begins.
By eliminating them, Detroit gains more control over:
- Practice intensity
- Player workload
- Injury risk
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, keeping players healthy might outweigh the benefits of external competition.
Why Joint Practices Mattered Before
This shift stands out because Campbell has previously valued joint practices.
They’ve provided:
- Different offensive and defensive looks
- Competitive reps without full game conditions
- Opportunities to evaluate players against unfamiliar opponents
But after facing plenty of injuries over the past couple of seasons, the Lions may feel less need to seek that outside exposure.
What It Means Going Forward
This doesn’t necessarily mean joint practices are gone for good.
It feels more like a strategic adjustment.
With a veteran core, rising expectations, and recent injury concerns, Detroit is prioritizing control and health over added competition this offseason.
Final Thoughts
Dan Campbell has always been about doing what’s best for his team, not what’s traditional.
This move fits that mindset.
The Lions have used joint practices to help build a contender.
Now, they’re adjusting to protect one.
