Detroit

Lions

Manu had a previous injury that resurfaced on the first day of training camp. He is now on the NFI list and will likely remain there at the end of training camp, putting him on ice for at least the first four games of the year. Manu appeared in four games last year and made one start. The Lions could add a free agent for some extra depth to start the year, but the good news is that Manu wasn’t projected for a starting role.

Both Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are holding in to start training camp. Gibbs has two years left on his rookie deal but is currently eligible for an extension and is rightfully looking to cash in. The Lions already committed to him as the centerpiece of their offense this offseason with they traded David Montgomery to Houston. That move gave Gibbs even more leverage, and it’s only a matter of time before the two sides agree to terms. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this year that Gibbs could earn more than $20 million per year. That would put him in line with Saquon Barkley as the league’s highest-paid running back, though he would likely have a longer contract with more in the way of guaranteed money. Though it’s not ideal for Gibbs to miss practice time in camp, with Robinson also holding in, fantasy managers shouldn’t change their approach to the top of the first round based on these developments.

Just yesterday, Joseph implied via social media that he would avoid the physically unable to perform list. So much for that. Joseph dealt with a recurring knee issue for the entire 2025 season, which was first reported on at the end of July 2025, roughly three months after the Lions made him the NFL’s highest-paid safety. Given Joseph’s post, one imagines he has a chance to resume practicing relatively soon, but only time will tell. Branch suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in Week 14 last year. As of June 13th, Lions coach Dan Campbell said there was no timetable for his return. The Lions also placed TE Tyler Conklin on the physically unable to perform list.

Lions veterans won’t report to training camp until Monday, but Joseph implied in a tweet on Saturday morning that he’ll avoid the PUP list. In response to a question about going on the PUP list, the 25-year-old safety wrote, “How much y’all wanna bet I’m not on there.” It’s not much, but it’s the first positive signal for Joseph’s health in quite some time. After missing the last 11 games of the 2025 season with a knee injury, Joseph was held out of minicamp. In early June, Dan Campbell told reporters he didn’t know what to expect from Joseph this season. Joseph started all 17 games in 2024, when he had a league-leading nine interceptions and was named a first-team All-Pro. The former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft signed a massive four-year, $86 million extension prior to last season. Joseph’s 20 interceptions are the second-most all-time for a safety in his first four seasons (Ed Reed, 22). A healthy Joseph would be a game-changer for the Lions defense.

Vaki was “quietly putting together an excellent training camp last year when healthy” per Pouncy and the 2024 fourth-round pick could cut into Pacheco’s touches if Pacheco continues to not look like the 2022-2023 vintage. Vaki has just seven carries in his first two seasons in the league, but has been active 27 games as a core special teams contributor.

LaPorta underwent surgery last year for a herniated disc, ending his 2025 season early. The surgery seems to have fixed the issue as Fowler reports the 25-year-old was “fully cleared earlier this month.” With training camp coming up, this is a good sign for LaPorta to be a full participant. The Lions will need him healthy to learn the offense under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing before the season starts.

Just hours after it was announced that Arnold’s bond would be set for $1 million, the Lions have opted to part ways with the former No. 24 overall pick. Arnold will now go on waivers, where he will presumably go unclaimed, and is likely to remain unsigned while he works through his legal issues. He is facing multiple felonies, which include four counts of kidnapping and assault, and could be sentenced to up to life in prison if convicted. Arnold has appeared in 24 regular season games in his two seasons with the Lions, totaling 91 tackles, one interception, and 18 pass breakups.

Arnold will post bond and appears set to join the Lions when training camp opens next month. The 23-year-old corner was arrested last week for his connection to a robbery and kidnapping in Tampa that took place in February, which he denies having any involvement with. The court, which did find probable cause for the charges against Arnold, also declined to impose an ankle bracelet on him as a condition of his release. It’s possible Arnold lands on the Commissioner’s Exempt List while he awaits trial, but the league will likely reserve any disciplinary action until after his case is settled in court.

The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday it will file charges against Arnold “following his arrest in connection with a February robbery and kidnapping in Tampa.” The charges carry a potential sentence of up to life in prison. The NFL will likely wait for the investigation to conclude before conducting their own investigation, though the charges are serious enough to where Arnold has a chance of not returning to the league. Arnold made a statement via his PR rep saying he “categorically denies any involvement in the matter.” He voluntarily surrendered to a warrant and two other defendants pleaded guilty Wednesday. Headed for the NFL Commissioner’s Exempt List, Arnold faces arrest with multiple felony charges.

Both players were signed following a successful workout with the team Tuesday, parlaying strong seasons in the UFL into NFL contracts. Jackson was a member of the Vikings organization for two seasons but appeared in only three games with the franchise in 2023. Both receivers will look to notch strong camps and preseasons as they attempt to stick on the final 53-man roster in Detroit.