Detroit’s promising second‑year cornerback, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., left Day 1 of Lions camp early after sustaining a chest contusion in an 11-on-11 drill. Despite appearing grim in pain and being helped off the field, Rakestraw avoided any structural damage, and Coach Dan Campbell confirmed that “everything came back negative.” He’s sore, but this is expected to be a short-term setback—he’s likely to miss just a few days before returning to practice .
Alex Anzalone among a handful not practicing during early camp
Veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone remained off the field due to a nagging hamstring issue. It’s not a major red flag, but it adds to the growing list of players being held out early, fueling speculation about contractual discontent and long-term fitness heading into camp .
Rookie RB Sione Vaki exits after leg trouble
In a troubling development for the RB room, rookie Sione Vaki left practice mid-session after injuring his leg during route drills. The team is currently evaluating the severity, and no official word on his status has been given yet .
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🔍 Injury Snapshot – Lion’s Early Camp Woes:
Player Position Injury Status
Ennis Rakestraw CB Chest contusion Out a few days; decision pending
Alex Anzalone LB Hamstring strain Held from practice; precautionary
Sione Vaki RB Leg issue Left practice; under evaluation
Key Insight:
While missing early camp reps isn’t ideal, the injuries to Rakestraw and Anzalone appear minor. The team aims to rest them now to avoid lingering problems. The bigger concern lies in the unexpected exit by rookie Vaki, which could impact depth if serious. The Lions’ medical staff will monitor closely as camp continues.
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✅ Final Take:
Rakestraw’s injury seems minor and won’t delay his progress at all. Expect him back within the week.
Anzalone’s absence is likely precautionary, but worth monitoring given past hamstring history.
Vaki’s situation will need updates — rookie leg injuries can fluctuate in severity.
Detroit remains cautious, preserving player health early in camp—but the next few days will truly reveal how this impacts reps and early-organizational rhythm.
Ennis Rakestraw exits practice after chest contusion, expected back in a few days
