If someone were watching a Detroit Lions practice for the first time Monday, RB Mikel Leshoure and WR Ryan Broyles would look like any other players going through a full complement of reps. They both cut well, made some quality plays, and didn't appear bothered by the 16-hour turnaround between Detroit's Sunday and Monday workouts.
In reality, however, the fact that both Leshoure (hamstring) and Broyles (ACL) were able to last the entire practice represents a major step in their rehab progress.
The biggest challenge Leshoure and Broyles have faced during their rehab is the amount of recovery time needed before being cleared for action. When they participated in Detroit’s Sunday afternoon practice following the team’s preseason opener, both players were held out of the team’s early-morning practice the next day to avoid aggravating their injuries. A week later, both players participated fully in the back-to-back workouts without incident -- something neither player had been able to do since Detroit’s first two practices of camp.
Both still say they’re evaluating their progress on a daily basis, but Leshoure said he’s looking to convince Lions coaches to clear him for action in Detroit’s third preseason game. “It felt good to go out there in back to back workouts without anything to sidetrack me,” he said. “Hopefully I can put a series of practices together to allow myself to go out and play [Saturday vs. Oakland].”
Lions easing Vanden Bosch back to action: DE Kyle Vanden Bosch returned to individual drills Monday for the first time since suffering a knee injury during the second week of camp. Vanden Bosch worked with trainers during team drills, and his participation in practice seemed to energize the entire D-line unit. “It was nice to see [Vanden Bosch] be able to get out there and do what we know he can do,” DE Willie Young said. Lions trainers are being very cautious with Vanden Bosch’s rehab, so it’s unlikely he will see action in Detroit’s preseason games.
Delmas still a long way from returning: Jim Schwartz admitted Monday that S Louis Delmas likely won’t return to the field in time to take part in Detroit’s two preseason games. Delmas had knee surgery on Aug. 7 in an attempt to give him enough recovery time to be available for the regular season. Two weeks after that procedure, Jim Schwartz conceded that Delmas’ hasn’t started a full rehab program. “[Delmas is] not to the point where he’s even on a [rehab] progression right now,” Schwartz said. “He’s week-to-week, he’s not day-to-day.”
Injuries create opportunities for reserves to shine: DTs Corey Williams (undisclosed), Sammie Lee Hill (back), and Andre Fluellen were all held out of Monday’s workout. Their absence allowed rookies Edmon McClam and Tracey Robertson to take extended reps in team drills. Detroit’s D-line rotation is virtually solidified, so neither player has much chance of making the final roster. Both players were evaluated by CFL scouts early in camp, however, so their performances could lead to opportunities north of the border.
Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLDET and @johnkreger.