Lions coach Campbell pleased with versatility of the secondary

With training camp concluding on Thursday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed his satisfaction with the secondary's versatility. "We feel like we have some guys who can swing between nickel, safety, corner. There are some candidates there," Campbell stated. With injuries to safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, competition for starting positions arose, but Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark have earned starts at safety.

Meanwhile, D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin were named the most consistent corners on the outside. Thomas Harper, a potential safety starter, is currently out due to an ankle injury, while Ennis Rakestraw's inconsistency may have relegated him to a backup role. Despite Reed's past with nine NFL teams, he emphasized his dedication to improvement this season, attributing his efforts to coach Campbell's challenging approach.

Campbell hinted at the possibility of plugging and playing cornerbacks depending on down and distance, potentially featuring Nick Whiteside or Roger McCreary in that role. Cornerback Roger McCreary's solid performance suggests he may also earn a starting position alongside Christian Izien, who is recovering from a preseason injury and could also see time at safety.

Camp Campbell concluded by noting improved communication and chemistry among the secondary, as they continue to compete against a strong offense and elevate their performance.