Preseason practices are well underway as we inch closer to the NFL season. So, too are the inter-squad practice scuffles.
The Lions and Giants are linking up for joint practices this week at the Giants’ facilities in New Jersey ahead of the preseason opener on Thursday.
Several clips have been circulating on social media Monday, showing a number of different scuffles over the course of the practice, with MLive’s Kyle Meinke reporting there were as many as eight.
One appeared to be sparked by a heavy hit laid by CB Kindle Vildor, while tempers boiled over another time when Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Giants’ Dru Phillips got into a shoving match.
Preseason football isn’t officially underway until we get these inter-squad dust-ups.
Another sure sign of the start of preseason? Injury concerns. And the Lions apparently already have a few hanging over their heads. First-round pick Terrion Arnold is reportedly being evaluated for a concussion after he took a licking from 6-foot-5, 315-lb. OT Andrew Thomas.
Lions guard Kevin Zeitler is also being evaluated for a shoulder injury, according to a report from The Detroit News.
Safety Brian Branch participated in portions of the practice, but did not have any contact as he continues to work back from an ankle injury.
Tight end Sam LaPorta, meanwhile, was held out of practice with a “minor” unspecified health issue. Head coach Dan Campbell said LaPorta is expected to return “soon,” according to The Detroit Free Press.