Detroit Lions Mailbag: The huge step the Lions are making to help prevent injuries from killing another season
Plus, what are the expectations for Isaac TeSlaa? How can they upgrade the defensive line a little more? And more
The Detroit Lions’ schedule will drop on Thursday night. So here’s a bunch of questions that are not related to that at all.
What are my expectations for Isaac TeSlaa in 2026?
The expectations should be that the Lions utilize TeSlaa a lot more in 2026. With that said, I would recommend that all Lions fans temper those expectations a bit because there are a lot of mouths to feed in this offense. I expect TeSlaa to have something like 38 receptions for 450 yards and six touchdowns.
I know there will be plenty of fans who might say, “You traded three third-round picks for 450 yards?” But the point of him was never to be the Lions’ receiver. The point was to have a guy who can do what they want him to do. That’s likely to be a big presence in the red zone or grab some big catches for first downs, as Josh Reynolds specialized in during his time in this offense.
Since the Lions are doing things differently, how are the Lions preventing injuries in 2026?
The major change in this department is that the Lions are not going to be doing joint practices this year. They’ve done those at least twice a year in the last two years, and that’s like playing two extra games every year. These are about as live as a practice can get. They’re hitting and going full strength multiple times a week during these.
With that said, you don’t want to back down things too much. We spoke with Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee’s Director of Rehabilitation Services and former Jaguars offensive lineman, Dave Kempfert, last season about this very thing, and he actually said going too light is actually not the fix you might think it would be.
“Sure. Do I think back in the day was a little overdone, with regard to contact and things, I would agree it probably was, but I still think there’s so much value to putting yourself in those situations. And I always use the term, callous, but there is something to putting in the contact and putting yourself in those situations to get yourself ready for that.
“I think back in the day, we used to do more two-a-day full-contact practices in two-a-days than they do in a whole season now,” Kempfert added. “I’m not saying that was ideal, right? When the season came through, it was almost a break. Sometimes, when things would get going, and because it’s a long season, you have to back off and prepare for a long season.
“If you’re not used to all that bruising, sudden starts/stops, and cutting, taking on collisions, learning how to get up at full speed, it makes a difference in how you perform. There are limits to how often you want to do it, but I think you have to prepare your body for those things. But again, you have to monitor each person and everybody individually. You can’t just assess everyone as a collective group.”
How can the Lions upgrade on the interior of their defensive line?
I don’t know if the Lions have to do a lot to upgrade, in my opinion. When I say that, I don’t mean they’re good to go right now. I mean, they don’t need to go out and make a big trade or anything like that. I think they need one solid veteran presence to just add to the rotation a bit and help get some of the younger guys ready.
How confident are you about being able to hide whoever is at left guard now that it’s better insulated?
That’s an interesting thought and question. I want to counter it a bit, though. I expect Christian Mahogany to get the job at left guard again, and with him, I think the lasting memory is how his season ended. Which was not well. But I would point to how he played before the injury, when he was the eighth-highest graded run-blocking guard in the NFL. You get that guy back, and you’re in pretty good shape.
But the line is a lot better now. To the point where you can feel a lot more comfortable with the weakest link being lifted by the guys around him.
Is Dan Campbell a Super Bowl coach, or is he just all vibes?
Is Campbell really a Super Bowl coach, or does he get by on (admittedly top-notch) vibes?
— Rabbi Mike Rothbaum (@ravmike.bsky.social) May 12, 2026 at 6:55 PM
I 100% see Campbell as the real deal and not just a “vibes” coach. I think like any other coach in any other sport, when you win, he can do no wrong, and when you lose, there could be nobody worse at their job, or maybe they’re not the right guy.
The major notable thing here is that the Lions have been the laughing stock of the league for essentially my entire life, and a giant chunk of the 12 seasons that I’ve covered them. This team has been a Super Bowl contender for the last few seasons because of him. I don’t think that’s just vibes. I know there isn’t a coach who has worked with him or a player who has played for him that would say that.
The Lions simply need to stay healthy, and they need to keep improving where they need to, and they’ll be in good shape.
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