The Detroit Lions are about to crank things up a notch. On Wednesday, they’ll welcome the Miami Dolphins to Allen Park for the start of two days of joint practices, all leading into Saturday’s preseason matchup at Ford Field.
Grant Stuard Puts Miami Dolphins on Blast
And if you were wondering whether Lions linebacker Grant Stuard is ready for the challenge, the answer is a loud and confident “yes.”
“I don’t know if they’re ready, I’m gonna keep it a stack,” Stuard said via Lions OnSi. “I’ve played at other places and played against that team last year, and joint practiced against that team twice when I was in Tampa. I don’t know if they practice how we practice. I’m excited to see our guys for sure, and I’m excited to get out there and do something against somebody else, who doesn’t know every in and out of what we’re doing.”
Why This Matters
Joint practices have become just as valuable, if not more, than preseason games for evaluating talent. They bring real competition without the scripted familiarity of facing your own teammates every day. Stuard’s comments suggest he believes Detroit’s intensity will stand out compared to Miami’s.
This will also be a measuring stick for a Lions defense looking to sharpen its edge heading into the 2025 season. The Dolphins, with their speed-heavy offense, will test Detroit’s secondary and linebackers in ways training camp hasn’t yet.
The Bigger Picture
The Lions have built a reputation under Dan Campbell for high-energy, full-speed practices. Stuard clearly takes pride in that identity, and he’s not shy about saying he thinks it gives Detroit an advantage. Whether that confidence translates into dominance on the field this week will be something worth watching.
Recent Comments