Second-round pick Derrick Moore, who’s been battling a groin injury since early this month and missed most of Lions training camp, just made a massive statement. He only returned to practice five days ago, but on Wednesday, he looked like he’d been grinding for weeks, racking up two huge sacks in his limited role with the first-team defense.
Moore’s Explosive Return
Man, the Lions have had some brutal injury luck with their 2026 draft class. They already lost fifth-round pick Kendrick Law for the whole season, Jimmy Rolder’s been sidelined since week one of camp, and Moore himself was out. But Wednesday? He was everywhere. They had him moving all over the defensive line in third-down packages, and he was causing absolute chaos. Remember that third-and-12? He squeezed between two linemen with an excellent burst for a sack. Then, in the very next situational drill with the first-team, he beat first-round rookie tackle Blake Miller for another sack on a third-and-8. Look, he’s missed time, so expecting a huge role early might be a stretch, but this dude could absolutely be the productive weapon the Lions need to get opposing offenses off the field, especially given their third-down struggles lately.
Turning the Corner
It wasn’t just Moore making noise either. Second-year receiver Isaac TeSlaa and third-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw have had a rough camp, especially after disappointing performances in the preseason opener. But they’re starting to stack some good days. TeSlaa had his best practice yet, making more plays during team drills than I’ve seen him make in a single session. He had a 21-yard gain on a post route between zones, then another post route in 7-on-7s beating Avonte Maddox in man-coverage. Don’t forget that five-yard checkdown that got him out of bounds, setting up a manageable third down. And that NASTY whip route? He toasted Rock Ya-Sin to the sidelines for another 21-yard gain down to the six-yard line. Four targets, four catches in team drills. That’s a massive step in the right direction.
Rakestraw was right there with him, making an impact instantly. He was all over Jameson Williams on a comeback route for an early pass breakup. Then, in situational drills, he got an immediate tackle on a flats route to Jacob Saylors, followed by a sack on a delayed blitz. He even jammed Amon-Ra St. Brown into the ground during 7-on-7s! The dude was flying.
This is what training camp is all about, right? Guys stepping up, battling back from injury, and showing what they can do. Moore’s return is huge, and seeing TeSlaa and Rakestraw string together good practices is exactly what you want to see. With camp continuing, every snap is a chance to prove you belong, to earn your reps. You gotta wonder who’s gonna make the next statement.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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