Lions Veterans Aiding New Teammates at Practice Is Going Viral

Lions are building a long-lasting culture.

The Detroit Lions have a tradition of new players, coaches joining the roster performing 40 down-ups. 

On Friday, reporters at the team's indoor practice noticed veteran leaders aiding new additions to the practice squad. 

A new viral video shows cornerback Darius Phillips and linebacker Mitchell Agude losing steam during their team initiation. 

Veterans Tracy Walker, Chase Lucas and Charles Harris joined in to motivate their new defensive teammates to finish the final 10 reps. 

This is the "small stuff" I look for at practice.

Recently signed practice squad players, CB Darius Phillips (29) and LB Mitchell Agude (50) are tasked with 40 down-ups in front of the defense.

As they start to lose steam at rep 31, veterans like Tracy Walker, Chase Lucas, and… pic.twitter.com/b2KtoStyNi

— Matt Broder (@mattbro21) October 6, 2023

Learning from Bears surprise victory against Commanders

The Lions are keenly aware of what the Panthers can accomplish this weekend, given they are a team without a win this season. 

Another added reminder was the Chicago Bears surprising many and winning their first NFL game in nearly a year against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. 

"We talk about it all the time and we’ve lived it. We’ve been there, we know what that’s like," said Dan Campbell. "There’s enough of us who’ve been here and know what it’s like when you’re trying to find that win. You’ve lost a few and you’re doing everything you can as players and as coaches to find a way to get that first one. So, we expect their best shot. 

"Those guys are over there preparing. And for us, setting the stage early in the week was about just our own improvement," Campbell continued. "And we’re in a race to improve with everybody in this League, and the ones who can improve the fastest are the ones that begin to make a rise in October. So, it goes without saying if you don’t show up and you play sloppy football, you turn the ball over, you don’t get takeaways, you’re not where you’re supposed to be, your odds of losing go way up.”