Are Detroit’s rookies ready for big roles to start the season?
“Well, they better be ready because it’s coming,” Campbell joked Monday.
Defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, Ratledge and wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa are set for big roles Sunday in Green Bay.
Ratledge won’t come off the field on offense. It doesn’t get any bigger than that. Williams is expected to start alongside veteran DJ Reader and play a big role in the middle of Detroit’s defense. TeSlaa will have a key role on special teams and will work into the rotation at receiver too.
Campbell also mentioned rookie wide receiver Dominic Lovett. Campbell wasn’t sure if he would be active as the sixth receiver this early in the week but hinted at a possible special teams and offensive role for him if he’s active for the game.
“Whoever we take to the game, we want to use, that’s kind of what I believe in,” Campbell said. “You don’t want to waste reps if you can keep from it.”
How can Week 1 set the tone for the season?
In each of the last two seasons, the Lions have had a marquee Week 1 matchup. Two years ago it was a Week 1 matchup in Kansas City against the defending Super Bowl champs on Thursday night. Detroit won, 21-20, and set in motion a 12-5 season that ended in the NFC Championship Game.
Last season it was a playoff rematch against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football. Detroit won in overtime, 26-20, and went on to win 15 games in the regular season and earn the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs before losing to Washington in the Divisional Round.
This year, it’s Lambeau Field and division foe Green Bay in a nationally televised game on CBS. Campbell said Monday he loves these kinds of matchups Week 1.
“The problem is not getting too excited too early right now,” Campbell said. “Division opponent at Lambeau, nationally televised game. I mean this is – we love this stuff, we live for this, so this is good, this is exciting. Listen, any win sets you up for the season, helps you. And that’s really what it’s about.”
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