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[Detroit Lions]

Frank Ragnow’s retirement now official, Lions make 1 minor roster move

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

Frank Ragnow’s retirement is officially on the books, opening a roster spot for the Detroit Lions.

As the Detroit Lions welcomed rookies back to the facility on Wednesday, they also made a couple of roster moves official. For one, Frank Ragnow has officially been placed on the reserve/retired list, making his retirement official.

Ragnow announced in an Instagram post back in June that he would be ending his career after just seven seasons with the Lions.

“These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow wrote. “I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my families future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t.”

With his retirement hitting the transaction wire on Wednesday, the Lions now have an open spot on their 90-man roster (remember that Ahmed Hassanein is currently occupying an international exemption spot).

In addition to making Ragnow’s retirement official, the Lions have waived cornerback Divaad Wilson from injured reserve by coming to an injury settlement with the defender. Wilson was signed on June 2 to the team, but immediately suffered a knee injury that required surgery and was waived on June 4. Because Wilson was already on injured reserve, he did not count against the 90-man roster, so his release does not open an additional spot. That said, Wilson would be eligible to return to the Lions after the length of his injury settlement plus an additional three weeks.

In short, Ragnow’s retirement becoming official has opened up a roster spot for the Lions on the verge of training camp.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ficial-detroit-lions-make-1-minor-roster-move

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions mailbag: Will Tate Ratledge hold out of training camp?

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On this week’s Detroit Lions Midweek Mailbag show, we discuss the NFL’s 2nd-round pick holdout and how it could affect Tate Ratledge.

Detroit Lions rookies reported for training camp on Wednesday, and for the first time in a long time, that date felt significant.

That’s because there’s a league-wide holdout happening for second-round picks. As of the publication of this article, only three second-round picks have signed their contracts, with the first two breaking precedent and having their contracts fully guaranteed. It’s clear everyone else was either pushing for fully guaranteed deals or hoping to see a higher percentage of their deal guaranteed.

With no movement—until late Wednesday night—there was a palpable fear that this holdout could drastically impact the Lions. Tate Ratledge has suddenly become a key Lions player following the retirement of Frank Ragnow, and if the plan remains to play Ratledge at center—somewhere he did not play in college—then Detroit is going to want him to log as many training camp and preseason snaps as he possibly can. A holdout would not be ideal.

So, what is the level of actual concern here? How long could a holdout continue, and at what point could that actually impact Ratledge’s ability to develop? Should the Lions just give him a fully guaranteed deal and be done with it?

That’s the main topic on this week’s Midweek Mailbag podcast, which heavily features training camp questions. Note that this podcast was recorded before the third second-round pick—49ers’ Alfred Collins (43rd overall)—agreed to his rookie contract, which is not quite fully guaranteed. It’s worth noting that Adam Schefter believes this deal “is expected to trigger multiple second-round signings.”

Other topics on this week’s show:

• Which players will take the biggest leap in camp and during the season?
• Name an offensive and defensive player who will be the talk of training camp
• Which players will make the roster because of special teams? Which players with special teams talent are still on the bubble?
• What do you want to see the new coordinators do differently from their predecessors?
• Ranking the biggest concerns of the Lions’ 2025 season

You can catch this week’s show in the Spotify embed below this text, or via any of your favorite podcasting platforms.

You can also watch a video replay of the show on our YouTube and Twitch pages.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...tledge-hold-out-training-camp-2nd-round-picks

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions 2nd-round pick Tate Ratledge agrees to rookie contract

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions won’t have to deal with any holdout drama, as Tate Ratledge has come to an agreement for his rookie contract.

After some minor contractual drama, the Detroit Lions’ full 2025 draft class is now under contract. Second-round pick Tate Ratledge, the final holdout of the Lions’ class, agreed to his rookie deal this on Thursday, per Jordan Schultz. Once officially under contract, Ratledge can report to Lions training camp, where rookies started arriving on Wednesday.

League-wide, teams were delayed in signing second-round picks after the Houston Texans broke precedent by signing their second-round pick—receiver Jayden Higgins—to a fully guaranteed contract. Prior to that, no second-round pick had received that much of their contract guaranteed, although a large majority of it has been in the past for high second-round picks. The Browns followed suit by giving Carson Schwesinger, the 33rd overall pick, a fully guaranteed deal of his own.

For weeks, those were the only two second-round picks under contract. However, on Wednesday night, the 49ers agreed to terms with the 43rd overall selection, Alfred Collins, on a contract that wasn’t fully guaranteed. From there, the dominoes quickly fell, and Ratledge got his deal done Thursday.

Ratledge figures to be a huge part of the Lions’ 2025 campaign. After Frank Ragnow’s sudden retirement this offseason, Ratledge could be next in line to start at center, and because he doesn’t have a ton of experience there, every rep counts. The fact that Detroit got this deal done before the official start of training camp on Sunday is somewhat important.

Now all that is left is for Lions veterans to report to camp on Saturday, and then we’re off!

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...-pick-tate-ratledge-agrees-to-rookie-contract

 

[Detroit Lions]

Open Thread: What is your favorite stadium snack?

Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What is your favorite in-stadium meal or snack?

Feel that crisp air first thing in the morning? We are getting there, folks. Some of that feeling might be attributed to the recent heat wave in Southeast Michigan, but with Detroit Lions’ training camp just days away from getting started, football season is just around the corner now. And we all know what that means.

Food, since we know the two go together like peanut butter and jelly. Whether it is at a Lions game in Downtown Detroit, your favorite college stadium, or even your local high school games—we want to hear about your favorite stadium grub.

That brings us to today’s Question of the Day:

What is your favorite snack stadium snack? ​

Answer: Since I am always present for Lions games at Ford Field, I am going to make my answer specific. If you are in the Metro Detroit area, let me tell you about one of my favorite spots—a magical place called Uncle Joe’s Chicken Fingers.

Over the last several years, Ford Field has done a better job of featuring local spots inside of the concession stalls. And while there are likely more exciting options for people to choose from, something about juicy chicken tenders and crispy fries just work for me as a quick pre-game meal. Give me that, a Coke Zero, and I am ready to sing “Gridiron Heroes” with 65,000 of my closest friends.

How about you? What is your favorite snack stadium snack? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...-discussion-favorite-snack-stadium-ford-field

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions add 3 new players ahead of training camp

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

After freeing up three roster spots this week, the Lions have reportedly filled three of them as training camp nears.

The Detroit Lions are set to open their 2025 training camp on Sunday, and they’re putting the final touches on their roster ahead of practices.

The Lions entered Friday with three open spots on their roster, and they filled two of them following a multi-player workout. Detroit is signing former Titans running back Jabari Small (per Jordan Schultz) and undrafted rookie free agent Tyson Russell (per Aaron Wilson).

UPDATE: The Lions confirmed both signings on Friday, and also announced the addition of cornerback DiCaprio Bootle.

Small, who attended the University of Tennessee, went undrafted in 2024 and signed with his hometown Tennessee Titans. He spent the entire season on the practice squad, signed a 2025 futures contract with the Titans, but was released following the NFL Draft (the Titans drafted Michigan’s Kalel Mullings in the sixth round). Small will join a running backs room that is returning their top four players from last season and also has UDFA rookie Kye Robichaux on the roster.

Russell was invited to try out at Lions’ rookie minicamp, and while he didn’t receive a contract, he was a standout on Jeremy Reisman’s practice observations:

“Another UDFA who stood out was Vanderbilt cornerback Tyson Russell, who logged back-to-back pass breakups in the final sessions of 7-on-7s. On one, he showed strong closing speed, aggressively attacking the hands of a receiver on a comeback route.”

Russell was invited back to Allen Park on Friday for another tryout opportunity, and this time he left the Lions’ training facility with a contract.

Bootle has been in the league for four seasons, spending time with the Chiefs, Panthers, and Chargers. Over the past two seasons, he’s logged over 200 special teams snaps on all four phases. He also started two games for the Panthers in 2023 at outside corner, finishing with 14 tackles and two passes defended.

It’s common for teams to make multiple roster moves heading into training camp and it’s easy to get lost in the numbers. For example, at this stage of the offseason, teams are allowed 90 players on their rosters, but the Lions received a roster exemption for rostering an “international player” in rookie Ahmed Hassanein, increasing their available roster spots to 91 players.

Over the last 48 hours, the Lions officially processed Frank Ragnow’s retirement paperwork on Wednesday, Levi Onwuzurike landed on reserve/PUP on Thursday, and rookie UDFA running back Anthony Tyus was released with an NFI designation, opening up three spots on the roster. Eight other Lions also landed on injury lists, but each of those was considered an “active” designation (meaning they can be removed at any time), and therefore, they still count against the roster numbers. Second-round rookie Tate Ratledge signed his contract Thursday night, but he was also already part of the total count.

Now, by signing Small, Russell, and Bootle the Lions bring their total player count up to 91, meaning there are no more vacancies.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...tans-rb-udfa-rookie-cb-ahead-of-training-camp

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions fans predicting another massive year for Amon-Ra St. Brown

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The results of our latest SB Nation Reacts survey are in, and as expected, fans expect the Lions' skill players to continue to thrive in 2025.

Earlier this week, we published our latest SB Nation Reacts surveys, asking Detroit Lions fans if they believe All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will exceed his projected 2025 receiving totals, utilizing the betting lines established by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook.

St. Brown has had a dominant past three seasons. In each, he’s produced at least 1,161 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while maxing out at 1,515 receiving yards (in 2023) and 12 touchdowns (in 2024).

However, the folks at FanDuel Sportsbook have set the betting line at a conservative 1075.5 receiving yards and a more aggressive 8.5 rushing touchdowns.

While the yardage totals seem well within reach, the touchdown totals can be a bit deceiving, especially considering he’s produced 10 and 12 receiving touchdown seasons in the last two years. Touchdowns tend to be a bit more inconsistent, and I believe the fan voting reflected that—even though fans are still buying the fact that he can repeat his previous successes.

Let’s look at the comment section of our original survey to allow Lions fans to explain their reactions and voting choices (slightly edited for clarity):

• Bellringer: “If Saint doesn’t exceed them, one things for sure, it won’t be from a lack of effort.”
• Motor City Man: “He’s been the most consistent WR in the league. No reason to expect anything other than the over.”
• LRB57: “Yes, easily. Defenses are going to roll to limit Jamo’s danger, giving St. Brown more room over the middle. Plus, he’s Goff’s favorite receiver and a YAC monster.”

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Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ing-another-massive-year-for-amon-ra-st-brown

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions trivia: Your in-5 daily game, Sunday edition

Think you can figure out which Lions player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game!

We’re back for another day of the Pride of Detroit in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.

Today’s Pride of Detroit in-5 game​

If you can’t see the game due to Apple News or another service, click this game article.

Previous games​

Saturday, July 19, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025

Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games​

NFL in-5
MLB in-5
MMA in-5

Pride of Detroit in-5 instructions​

The goal of the game is to guess the correct Lions player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it.

After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form.

Enjoy!

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/7/20/24470843/sb-nation-lions-daily-trivia-in-5

 

[Detroit Lions]

Injury Update: Ennis Rakestraw avoids major injury on Day 1 of Lions training camp

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions got some positive news regarding Ennis Rakestraw’s injury.

The Detroit Lions kicked off their 2025 training camp on Sunday, and after starting practice with nine players on injury lists and another three not participating, second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw went down with an injury. Fortunately, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Rakestraw “is believed to have suffered just a chest contusion... A positive outcome.”

The injury occurred behind the play, so the full details are not entirely clear, but Rakestraw appeared to have collided with an offensive player during an 11-vs-11 drill and remained down on the field, holding his upper chest area. After making it to the sidelines and receiving help from the Lions’ training staff, Rakestaw was escorted to the locker room and did not return for the remainder of practice. Soon after, the Lions PR team updated the media that Rakestraw “was being evaluated for a chest injury.”

Jeremy Reisman and I discussed the injury on the latest PODD post-training camp video (you can subscribe here), noting that while the injury looked significant in the moment, not all injuries have long-term consequences. For example, two seasons ago, Chauncey Gerdner-Johnson suffered what appeared to be a devastating knee injury, only to return to practice in full five days later.

For Rakestraw, the initial news is very positive, considering what it initially looked like, we still don’t have a timeline for when he may be able to return to the field. For that information, we will likely have to wait until Day 2 of training camp on Monday morning at coach Dan Campbell’s press conference before receiving any official word from the team.

In the meantime, take solace in knowing that Rakestraw took to social media to assure people that he’s “good.”

If you missed any of our observations from Day 1 of Lions training camp, you can catch up here.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...-major-injury-on-day-1-of-lions-training-camp

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions LB Alex Anzalone dealing with hamstring injury

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Dan Campbell once again dispels the rumor that Alex Anzalone is holding out, clarifying it’s a hamstring that is keeping him from practices.

Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell cleared up any confusion about why linebacker Alex Anzalone is not practicing as training camp opened on Sunday. While Anzalone “crushed” the conditioning test earlier in the week, Campbell revealed the veteran defender is currently dealing with a hamstring injury.

“I don’t see him practicing today (Monday), I don’t,” Campbell said. “It’s a hamstring (injury), so we’ll see where it goes.”

This, more or less, confirms that Anzalone is not voluntarily missing practice as a “sit-in” protest for not having a new contract. It’s no secret that Anzalone would like a new deal entering the final year of his three-year, $18.75 million contract signed in 2023. But on Sunday, Campbell felt fairly certain Anzalone wasn’t the type of player to sit out on his own accord.

“No way, right. I refuse to believe that. I refuse to believe that,” Campbell said.

Practicing in Anzalone’s place on Sunday was veteran linebacker Zach Cunningham, who was signed as a free agent back in May. Campbell said he has already been impressed by Cunningham’s natural movement and veteran presence from his practices in the spring.

“He’s played in this league. He’s a very good athlete. He’s pretty instinctive. He’s a smart guy,” Campbell said. “He’s fluid, man. Sometimes it’s effortless. He’s a fluid mover.”

In addition to Anzalone, Campbell also announced that Al-Quadin Muhammad is not expected to practice on Monday. However, linebacker Anthony Pittman is expected to return to the field after missing the opening practice on Sunday.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...update-lions-lb-dealing-with-hamstring-injury

 

[Detroit Lions]

Notes: Lions’ roster ranked among best in NFL

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

ESPN analysts have the Lions’ roster ranked as one of the best in the entire NFL.

We all know at this point that the Detroit Lions have built things the right way. If you remember back in 2021 when Lions coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes were first hired, both routinely echoed the same sentiment—they wanted to build a winner that is capable of competing each and every year. And as we know, the best way to do that is through the NFL Draft.

Fast-forward four years into the future, and Detroit has assembled one of the youngest and most talented rosters in the entire league, with most of the heavy-lifting done via the draft. However, what would the rankings look like if someone were to focus on just the projected starters for the 2025 season? Three NFL analysts from ESPN—Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder—weighed in and had the Lions third out of the league’s 32 teams.

“I could’ve gone safety or offensive tackle,” said Clay when picking the Lions’ biggest strength. “But the Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery duo is elite. Since 2023, Lions RBs have produced a league-high 5,960 yards and 57 touchdowns. That’s 718 yards and eight more touchdowns than any other team.”

You can read the entire article from the trio right here.

NFL Roster Rankings from 1 (Ravens) to 32 (Saints).

Me: Top strength and weakness for each team@SethWalder: X Factors@ASchatzNFL: Nonstarter to knowhttps://t.co/QD0kEWUAx2

— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) July 21, 2025​

And now, onto the rest of today’s notes:

• Lions’ cornerback D.J. Reed joined NFL on CBS to talk all things Lions.

• Dan Miller of Fox 2 Detroit sat down with Lions’ defensive tackle DJ Reader for a 1-on-1 interview ahead of his second season in the Motor City.

• The panel over at NFL on ESPN weighed in on the Lions’ offense under new coordinator John Morton.

• The back-to-back NFC North Champs.

The defending NFC North champs are back at it pic.twitter.com/dokzQnAk7Y

— NFL (@NFL) July 21, 2025​

• Best duo in the game and it isn’t really a debate.

A rare thing pic.twitter.com/HLlNT2cwCz

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) July 21, 2025​

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...t-lions-roster-ranked-nfl-third-espn-analysis

 

[Detroit Lions]

Lions injury news: Dan Campbell updates timetables for several players

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Dan Campbell gave updated injury timelines for Malcolm Rodriguez, Mekhi Wingo, Khalil Dorsey, and Miles Frazier.

The Detroit Lions injury list continues to grow little-by-little, but we are getting a lot more clarity on when many players are expected to return. Coach Dan Campbell offered a ton of updates prior to Tuesday’s practice. Here’s everything you need to know about the Lions’ injury situations and who participated during practice.

New injuries: ​

• RB Sione Vaki (hamstring)
• DT Roy Lopez (foot)
• DT Brodric Martin (foot)
• OT Jamarco Jones (cramp)

Vaki and Lopez suffered injuries during Monday’s practice, and Campbell noted that both injuries are not expected to be serious.

“I think those two guys will probably be a few days here. Don’t think they’re major, but we’ll let them see where they shake out,” Campbell said.

Lopez was stepped on during Monday’s practice, and according to Campbell, the cleats then twisted into his foot. Campbell also noted that the Lions are very high on Vaki expanding his offensive role, so this is a notable setback.

“We feel like just athletically, size-wise, explosiveness, power, there’s versatility in what he could do. He might be able to play multiple roles, multiple positions, so this kind of sets us back,” Campbell said. “But he’ll be in there rehabbing with (Director of Player Health and Performance Brett Fischer) Fisch, getting it right, getting strength back in it and then we’ll start over again.”

Jones left Tuesday’s practice early, but was reportedly only dealing with cramps. Martin was also injured late, and the team noted it was a foot injury with him. No more details are available at this time.

Returned to practice ​

• CB D.J. Reed

Reed confirmed to Pride of Detroit that he missed Monday’s practice due to the birth of his third child.

Players working with trainers​

• CB Ennis Rakestraw
• CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Just two days after suffering a chest injury in the opening practice, Rakestraw was back out there working with a trainer. He was joined by fellow cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury, but was getting good work in.

Updates to timelines​

As mentioned at the top, Campbell was peppered with questions about players and their timelines to return. The Lions coach wasn’t clear on whether these timetables were for their return to practice or when they’d be able to play. But here’s what he had to say about each player:

OL Miles Frazier

“A knee. Probably, I don’t know, let’s call it September, October. Let’s say something like that.”

CB Khalil Dorsey

“I would say Dorsey’s probably the closest of that group. We’re hoping late camp, we could get Dorsey back. He’s doing well. He’s running - his speed is, the speed is there. Now, it’s just about being able to put your foot in the ground, make a transitional.”

LB Malcolm Rodriguez

“Rodrigo we’ve already talked about. Just doing good. Doing really good but I think he’s another October guy.”

DT Mekhi Wingo

“Yeah, Wingo’s probably September.”

Full list of players not practicing​

For those that just want the names, the following players missed Tuesday’s practice:

• RB Sione Vaki
• G Miles Frazier (PUP)
• LT Taylor Decker (PUP)
• DT Levi Onwuzurike (out for season)
• DT Mekhi Wingo (PUP)
• DT Alim McNeill (PUP)
• DT Roy Lopez
• EDGE Josh Paschal (NFI)
• EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
• LB Malcolm Rodriguez (PUP)
• LB Alex Anzalone
• CB Khalil Dorsey (PUP)
• CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (NFI)
• CB Ennis Rakestraw

It’s worth noting that Anzalone did not provide much of an update on his hamstring. When asked about a timeline for his return, he simply said, “No clue. No clue.”

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...mpbell-updates-timetables-for-several-players

 

[Detroit Lions]

Detroit Lions GM: Alim McNeill could return ‘earlier than expected’

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Detroit Lions star defensive tackle Alim McNeill could return to play earlier than expected, according to general manager Brad Holmes.

There has never been a clear timetable for the return of Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill. The star defensive tackle tore his ACL on Dec. 15 in a game against the Buffalo Bills. The typical return for a torn ACL can take anywhere from eight to 12 months, and it tends to be closer to that 12-month end of the spectrum for players the stature of McNeill.

When asked back in April, coach Dan Campbell only provided vague expectations for McNeill’s return.

“It’s tough to say right now when Mac will be back. ACL’s are all a little bit different. Obviously, it’s not going to be training camp or probably even the early part of the season, but we will get him back,” Campbell said.

Since then, it’s mostly been quiet. McNeill has been spotted walking around the sidelines during training camp practices, but not much else. That is, until Tuesday.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes joined SiriusXM live from training camp, and provided a short, but optimistic update on McNeill.

“... still having Alim on his way back, which I think that, you know, that has a potential to be a little bit earlier than expected,” Holmes said. “Because he’s doing great right now.”

McNeill was quickly becoming one of the best defensive tackles in football over the past couple of years. In 2023, he produced PFF’s sixth-highest grade (88.5) among defensive tackles, tallied 5.0 sacks, and 34 pressures. Last year, he took his pass rush to a new level, earning 45 pressures and a 77.1 PFF pass rush grade (13th).

Holmes comments were made while he was making a larger point about the confidence in his defensive tackle room, despite the season-ending injury to Levi Onwuzurike.

“We were pretty chock-full with expecting Levi to play this year. But, you know, still having a (DJ) Reader, drafting Tyleik Williams, signing Roy Lopez in free agency, and still having Alim on his way back—which I think that, you know, that has a potential to be a little bit earlier than expected, because he’s doing great right now. I feel pretty confident. We feel very confident about that (room).”

As of now, though, the Lions are a bit shorthanded. Lopez is dealing with a minor foot injury, Mekhi Wingo is on the Physically Unable to Perform list and not expected to return until September, and Brodric Martin left Tuesday’s practice early with a foot injury. Still, Detroit has leaned on players like Pat O’Connor, Raequan Williams, and Chris Smith to help fortify their depth behind Reader and Tyleik Williams.

And it certainly sounds like the Lions expect McNeill to join them at some point this season, and quite possibly sooner rather than originally expected.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...im-mcneill-could-return-earlier-than-expected

 

[Detroit Lions]

Top free agent linebacker visits Detroit Lions

Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

The Detroit Lions have shown interest in one of the top free agent linebackers remaining.

After Day 3 Detroit Lions training camp practice, Alex Anzalone met with the media and was candid about his current standing. Anzalone reiterated his desire to retire as a Lion, but admitted he had “no clue” about the timeline for his return as he recovers from a hamstring injury and navigates an expiring contract. He summed up everything succinctly: “This is a weird situation.”

On Wednesday, things got a little weirder. According to the NFL transaction wire, the Lions hosted veteran linebacker Kyzir White on a free agency visit.

Who is Kyzir White?

White served as the Cardinals' starting MIKE linebacker and green dot for each of the last two seasons under Jonathan Gannon, following him from Philadelphia, where he was a starter on their Super Bowl runner-up team. There, he split duties with T.J. Edwards between WILL and MIKE linebacker roles.

White would add great experience, intrigue, and a little uncertainty to the Lions linebacker room. At 234 pounds, White projects slightly more towards Anzalone’s WILL linebacker role in the Lions defense, though he could also serve as a highly capable backup for Jack Campbell at MIKE linebacker.

Production and skillset

White is a tackling machine, ranking:

• 15th in the NFL last season with 137 combined tackles
• 8th in 2022 with 144 combined tackles for the Chargers
• 12th in combined tackles (481 total) over the past four seasons

He is more of a run-and-chase linebacker than a downhill thumper and carries solid coverage ability from his days as a college safety at West Virginia. Notably, evaluating his 2024 performance must account for the lackluster Cardinals defensive tackle group in front of him, outside of familiar face Roy Lopez, which was completely revamped this offseason.

Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon praised White upon re-signing him in 2024:

“The versatility that he brings, you know, obviously the motor and the violence, the coverage ability to run, obviously a complete player, super smart.”

This spring, Gannon lamented how replacing White would be particularly challenging from a leadership standpoint, suggesting he would seamlessly fit into the Lions’ locker room culture.

Implications for the Lions linebacker room

If signed, White would become the 10th linebacker on the Lions’ current 90-man roster. However, only eight are presumed healthy at the moment, with Malcolm Rodriguez (likely to start the season on PUP) and Anzalone both sidelined. The signing would leave seven linebackers to fill six combined MIKE and WILL roles across the first, second, and third-team defenses in practices (with Derrick Barnes and Trevor Nowaske at SAM linebacker). That would provide ample bodies for camp rotations, with a surplus once Anzalone returns.

Potential redundancy with Zach Cunningham

A White signing would add fuel to speculation about Anzalone’s “disappointing” situation and create some overlap with recent signee Zach Cunningham. Dan Campbell praised Cunningham on Monday morning for his fluidity, coverage skills, and athleticism. Both Cunningham and White are veteran linebackers with their best football likely behind them; neither has been a special teams mainstay in recent years (though Campbell noted Cunningham is getting special teams work in camp), and both offer interchangeable MIKE and WILL capabilities. White, however, is a year younger and has more recent significant defensive snaps than Cunningham.

Bottom line

Adding Kyzir White would make the Lions a better football team. He’s a competitor who would fill any role required, and his signing would reinforce linebacker depth—a potential learning lesson from last season when the Lions lost Barnes, Anzalone, Rodriguez, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin from Weeks 3 through 13.

However, while White would strengthen the unit, his addition would do little to clarify the mystery surrounding the Lions’ linebacker puzzle heading into 2025.

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/7/23/24473394/top-free-agent-linebacker-visits-detroit-lions

 

[Detroit Lions]

Center feeling ‘more natural’ to Lions rookie Tate Ratledge

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tate Ratledge has already made some strides at the center position, as the Detroit Lions continue to try him out at a new position.

For the first time since training camp opened, Detroit Lions second-round pick Tate Ratledge talked with the media on Thursday. He’s been one of the most intriguing players on the team, as the rookie may have the tough task of filling the shoes of four-time Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow at center this year.

The biggest hurdle? It’s a relatively new position. The extent of his experience at center is taking reps during spring practices at Georgia last year while the team was injured at the position. He didn’t log a single game snap at the position in college.

Yet since the spring here in Detroit, the Lions have toyed with the idea of him starting his NFL career at center. He split time there during OTAs, and he played nearly ever snap with the first-team offense at center through the first three training camp practices. And Ratledge can already sense a significant difference from May to July.

“A lot better than I was (doing) in the spring. It’s becoming more natural to me,” Ratledge said. “The playbook, getting used to it. So, it’s definitely a lot easier now than it was in the spring.”

That’s not something he’s imagining. The coaching staff is seeing it, too.

“It’s only two days, (but) I like where it’s been versus the spring,” coach Dan Campbell said. “It already feels better, it already feels more natural.”

Campbell also added that Ratledge is drinking from the firehose, as the Lions are throwing a ton at the 24-year-old offensive lineman. He has to learn new techniques, adjust to starting his blocking assignment with one hand down, learn an entire new playbook, and start diagnosing pressure packages from the defense. While it’s all an adjustment for Ratledge, the rookie admitted two things are the biggest challenges right now: how quickly the game comes to you at the center position, and the mental responsibilities.

“At guard, you got a little bit of a delay being off the ball, and then of course you get up here and you’re going against quicker guys than I’ve seen before. So, I think that was the biggest adjustment, just how fast everything happens,” Ratledge said, later adding. “The mental side of it’s definitely the hardest part. Getting everybody on the same page.”

But Ratledge isn’t doing it alone. For one, he’s got the help of a nine-year veteran in Graham Glasgow, who has plenty of experience going from guard to center and back again.

“Graham’s been a tremendous help, whether that be in the meeting room, on the field,” Ratledge said. “I know he’s one of those guys I can come up and ask anything and he’ll probably have an answer for me. He’s been great helping me with certain looks, certain techniques. So, it’s been great having him to lean on.”

He’s also getting help from the other side of the ball. Nose tackle DJ Reader has been in the league since 2016, and he offers a unique perspective on how he beats opposing centers.

“There’s a few reps he’s gotten me on, and I’ll go up and ask him what he saw, what I’m doing to make that easier, where my hands need to be, stuff like that,” Ratledge said. “And he’s done a great job helping me with that as well.”

The Lions are playing this by ear, at this point. While it certainly seems like they’d love to make Ratledge the full-time center, he’s going to have to earn it. With Glasgow’s center experience, they’re more than comfortable sliding him back inside, if necessary. That would kick Ratledge back to his college position at right guard—where we saw him playing during Thursday’s practice.

Whatever the Lions end up choosing, Ratledge is down with it.

“I enjoy football. It doesn’t matter where I am on the field, I love football. So yeah, I do enjoy center. I also enjoy guard. But like I said, it’s football. I love being out there.”

Source: https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025...ge-more-natural-center-position-training-camp