Lions Will Not Play Starters against Jaguars

The Lions are treating the joint practices this week as the game for their starters.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell revealed Thursday that the Lions will not play their starters against the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday. 

He explained during his appearance on Lions' flagship radio station that the team is treating this week's joint practices with the Jaguars as the exhibition game. 

"My plan is, that's another reason we do these," Campbell said. "I feel like you've got two great days of work, and you banked a lot of reps. So, I don't see us playing these starters this week. I don't see it. We're gonna sit that core group again, and let some of these young guys go. There may be a few select rookies we don't play. We'll see where we're at with that, as well. But, I think that's the benefit of having this, we had over 40 reps yesterday." 

He also provided updates on a pair of impactful injuries to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. 

"I don't want to see any of our players go down, I hate that," Campbell stated. "But, at the same token, I know it's football, and to me, 'Saint' is about as unbreakable as it gets. So, I'm not worried about it, I don't think this is gonna be something major. He could be down a little bit, but tentatively right now, I think we'll be okay here. I think this guy can overcome quite a bit." 

The head coach didn't provide a specific update on either player, while adding that Williams will have time to heal, should he need it. 

"Well look, yeah, it's a challenge. I think what we've gotta do from now until he's back on the field or when the season starts, which we know what that entails is as much film study as he can get," Campbell explained. "He's gotta rehab now. There again, you don't want any of our players to go down, and we understand his situation, we all do. But, man, we're not gonna sweat it. We do what we can do to get him to come along, and he rehabs and when he's ready, he's ready."