Dan Campbell talked about last season’s message in his press conference this week. He admitted he may have “set the team up for failure” by being too aggressive instead of consistently. Meanwhile, rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein left practice early Monday, August 11, with a lower-leg issue. But he walked off under his own power and sounded optimistic about his recovery. With these developments, Detroit heads into joint practices with Miami.

Detroit’s camp storylines have gone from rookie showstoppers to veteran leaders stepping up, and now, with Dan Campbell’s updates on the injuries. Amon-Ra St. Brown is still making defenders look silly in one-on-ones. Moreover, Frank Ragnow has been a brick wall in run-blocking drills. On Miami’s side, Jevon Holland and Christian Wilkins are reminding everyone why the Dolphins finished 2024 with the 4th best defense in the league, disrupting backfields before ball carriers can even get to daylight.

When Dan Campbell talked to the media after practice, his first update on rookie edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein put him at ease: “It was just a little scare. He’ll be out there working, which is good,” as per the Lions’ official X post. After limping off Monday’s practice (August 11) with what turned out to be a minor lower-leg issue, Ahmed Hassanein was back in pass-rush drills Wednesday (August 13), sacrificing none of the long arms and bend that caught coaches’ eyes in camp.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold is still on the PUP list. Dan Campbell said he’s “doing more every day but I don’t see him going through these practices. We’re shooting for next week.” The hamstring strain that’s kept him out since late July has delayed his integration, leaving the secondary to navigate camp without his lockdown ability on the boundary. These are big deals beyond the sideline talk, especially with Ahmed Hassanein and Terrion Arnold out of the scene.

Ahmed Hassanein’s quick clearance gives the edge some depth, a unit that struggled to get to the quarterback consistently last season. Terrion Arnold’s return window is a beacon for a secondary that gave up 244 passing yards per game last season, 30th in the NFL. Dan Campbell’s straightforward talk shows Detroit is being cautious and competitive as it heads into joint practices.

Dolphins’ joint practice with the Lions after Dan Campbell’s update

Detroit and Miami hit the practice field under sunny skies on Wednesday, August 13, and it was intense, especially for Dan Campbell. The Dolphins had the 5th best defense last season, and the Lions looked sharp right out of the gate. Jared Goff ran a no-huddle session against Miami’s front 7, handing off to Gibbs in the inside zone and targeting St. Brown on crossing routes. Up front, Frank Ragnow and James Hudson III held their own against the blitz. Romeo Okwara and Aidan Hutchinson went toe to toe with Dolphins tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Austin Jackson.

Miami countered by putting Tua Tagovailoa in a scripted drive scenario. Tight ends Durham Smythe and Mike Gesicki ran seam routes against Detroit’s secondaries. Jevon Holland picked off a deflected pass in 7 on 7. Andrew Van Ginkel brought the heat on a 3rd down blitz and forced Goff into a checkdown.

Live tackling is back on Friday, August 15. Therefore, we’ll see how Ahmed Hassanein’s edge rush and Terrion Arnold’s return affect both teams. Also, how will Dan Campbell handle the team with all the injuries lying ahead?