Lions camp notebook: D.J. Reed absent again as Jahmyr Gibbs ramps up

The Detroit Lions’ training camp attention turned to who was missing on Friday, after cornerback D.J. Reed was absent for the second straight day, according to Yahoo Sports’ day-by-day camp injury reporting. The team still conducted a scrimmage-like practice, but a “pretty large amount of players” were sidelined for the session, leaving the roster picture for the day incomplete and, for now, largely unexplained.

Reed’s absence is the clearest named storyline. He is identified as the Lions’ No. 1 cornerback in the report, and his two-day departure from practice is notable because it affects how Detroit structures the defensive reps around its top coverage group. The report also flags that without a Dan Campbell media availability on Friday, the reasons for various absences may not be confirmed until the next time the head coach meets with reporters.

On the offensive side, Jahmyr Gibbs, one of Detroit’s featured playmakers, was described as “ramping up.” That phrasing suggests a progression in his on-field workload during camp rather than a status that fully rules him out. Even without further specifics on duration, limitations, or exact snap counts, a ramp-up generally indicates the team expects him to be involved more than he was earlier, which matters for the weekly rhythm of game-planning and live-session reps.

Because the Friday practice was “scrimmage-like,” the sidelined group matters beyond simple participation counts. In camp, days with fewer full-speed reps can compress evaluation opportunities for coaches and can shuffle who gets to work with the first-unit groups. With many players out, Detroit’s staff likely had to rely on depth and rotating starters for reps that would normally be filled by a larger portion of the roster.

The uncertainty is compounded by what the report describes as a lack of immediate confirmation on the record. When Campbell does not hold a press conference, explanations for injuries or personal reasons often wait for the next media session. That means the camp narrative can change quickly once the team provides additional clarity, particularly regarding whether someone’s absence is expected to be short-term or more of a longer pause.

For fans watching the Lions’ camp build toward the regular season, the next checkpoint is less about Friday’s practice itself and more about what becomes official afterward. If Reed remains out and his role in coverage drills is reduced over multiple sessions, it would have immediate implications for the defense’s continuity and who is filling his spot. Meanwhile, Gibbs’ ramp-up is a positive indicator that Detroit is moving him along in the normal “increase-and-assess” pattern camp teams use when managing workload and readiness.