Since becoming head coach of the Detroit Lions, Dan Campbell has orchestrated multiple joint practices with other NFL teams, including the New York Giants — the first franchise he played for.
So, it’s only fitting that Campbell put together another joint practice, this time with the team where he began his coaching career.
The Miami Dolphins announced this week that they will hold joint practices with the Lions ahead of their Aug. 16 preseason matchup at Ford Field.
According to the Dolphins’ official website, preseason matchups between Detroit and Miami are incredibly rare. In fact, this will be their first preseason meeting in the 21st century. The last time the two teams faced each other in the preseason was on Aug. 28, 1999, when the Dolphins won 31-10.
In their announcement, the Dolphins offered high praise for the Lions, describing them as “the best measure of grit perhaps in the entire NFL.”
Currently, there are no other reported joint practices scheduled for the Lions this preseason.
Detroit will open its preseason schedule on July 31 with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, against the Los Angeles Chargers. From there, the Lions will travel to face the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 8, host the Dolphins at Ford Field on Aug. 16, and close the preseason on Aug. 23 on the road against the Houston Texans.
On Wednesday, the Lions will kick off their organized team activities.