Penei Sewell Tested Positive for COVID-19

The Detroit Lions' first-round pick Penei Sewell will miss rookie minicamp due to COVID-19 diagnosis.

The Detroit Lions will be without rookie offensive lineman Penei Sewell this weekend for the team's rookie minicamp session. 

On Wednesday, Sewell revealed he found out last weekend he was diagnosed with the coronavirus. 

"Found out this past weekend I tested positive for COVID. Really wish I was heading to my new home today and able to be at mini-camp with my new teammates and coaches," Sewell posted on social media. "Look forward to getting out to the D as soon as I’m cleared!"

Sewell is expected to become a foundational piece of the Lions' offense. 

Following his selection, Detroit's front office celebrated due to the talented offensive lineman being near or at the top of its draft board. 

When asked following the draft, Lions general manager Brad Holmes explained how he would evaluate whether a draft class was successful or not. 

“There’s a lot of different ways you probably could break that success down," he said. "When you look back it, I’ve often looked at just playtime percentage. It’s more easier to see it as accolades, if they ended up being All-Pros or Pro Bowlers and all that type of stuff. But, it’s a good barometer to see playtime percentage, games played, games started. That’s usually a quick reference to break down the success of past drafts.”

If members of the Lions' roster decide to boycott all voluntary workouts, Sewell may not arrive again in Allen Park until mandatory mincamp begins on June 8.

Found out this past weekend I tested positive for COVID. Really wish I was heading to my new home today and able to be at mini-camp with my new teammates and coaches. Look forward to getting out to the D as soon as I’m cleared!

— Penei Sewell (@peneisewell58) May 12, 2021

Offseason workout schedule: 

• Rookie minicamp: May 14-16
• OTAs: May 25-27, June 2-4, June 14-17
• Mandatory minicamp: June 8-10

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