ALLEN PARK -- Jack Campbell made his return to Detroit Lions practice on Thursday.
Campbell missed Wednesday’s session with an ankle injury. But the starting linebacker is back on the field during the window open to reporters, and is on track to play against the Chicago Bears this weekend. The third-year linebacker led the team with nine tackles and managed to play every defensive rep in Week 1.
Taylor Decker missed his second consecutive practice, though. The starting left tackle popped up on Wednesday’s injury report with a shoulder injury. Decker underwent offseason surgery on his shoulder, and managed to play every offensive snap in the team’s opener in Green Bay last weekend.
Decker told reporters in the locker room on Wednesday that he hopes to play against the Bears. And the Lions sound like they’re banking on that, as well.
Offensive coordinator John Morton was asked about the contingency plan if Decker were unable to go. And after discussing Giovanni Manu’s growth for a minute, he said, “But we’re totally expecting Decker to play.”
On that note, practice squad offensive tackle Dan Skipper still has not been spotted since the season started. The Lions have not disclosed Skipper’s injury since he’s on the practice squad.
For the second straight day, cornerback Terrion Arnold, running back Sione Vaki and linebacker Trevor Nowaske were spotted practicing.
Arnold suffered a groin injury against the Packers and did not return for the second half. Vaki (hamstring) and Nowaske (elbow) missed all of practice and the Week 1 game last week.
With Vaki out, the Lions signed running back Jacob Saylors to their main roster from the practice squad. Saylors handled kickoff returns in Vaki’s absence. Vaki is one of the team’s best special teamers and does so much more than just return kicks.
“Vaki, I mean, he’s just a tremendous talent,“ Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said. ”He’s super quick, he’s explosive, he’s powerful, he’s really like a lot of those safety, running back body types. That’s what you want. You want a guy who’s 200-plus pounds, who’s very strong, very quick, very physical, athletic, so he can change direction.
“So, he ends up being a very positive player both in coverage and return game ... He played great for us a year ago, so yeah, we’re obviously excited to get him back as soon as we can.”
The Lions elevated linebacker Anthony Pittman from the practice squad to fill the hole left by Nowaske last week. But Pittman was released from the practice squad after the game, another sign that Nowaske is close to being ready for this weekend’s home opener against the Bears.
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