Lions decided on no practice, protest instead
Detroit decided not to practice on Tuesday, protesting after a Black man was shot by police in Wisconsin.
“We came up with this one as a unit,” Lions defensive end Trey Flowers said.
Lions coach Matt Patricia opened the team’s morning meeting by allowing players to share their thoughts on the shooting of Jacob Blake, who is paralyzed from the waist down. Blake was shot Sunday, three months after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
The players continued to discuss Blake’s shooting and shared their personal experiences regarding race in the locker room.
Lions players and Patricia later filed out of the team’s practice facility, pushing a dry-erase board on wheels along the sidewalk to address the media. The words: “The world can’t go on,” was written in blue on one side of the dry-erase board and “We won’t be silent!! One pride,” was in black on the other side of the white board.
Patricia said he is proud of the players and hopes they inspire other people and teams in the NFL to take a stand for social justice.
■ 49ers: Star edge rusher Nick Bosa and rookie receiver Brandon Aiyuk will both miss at least one week of practice with lower-body injuries. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that Bosa had complained last week of soreness in his leg and got time off from practice.
When that didn’t help he underwent an MRI that showed a muscle strain that has him out on a week-toweek basis.
■ Cardinals: Pro Bowler Budda Baker agreed to terms on a $59 million, fouryear contract extension on Tuesday that includes $33.1 million guaranteed, which makes him among the NFL’S highest-paid safeties. Baker’s agent David Mulugheta confirmed the financial terms. Baker’s rookie contract was set to expire after this season, but now he’s under contract through 2024.
■ Chargers: Wide receiver Mike Williams sprained his right shoulder on Sunday when he landed awkwardly while trying to dive for a ball. His return to the field by the season opener is in question. “He’s going to be out for a while. I would hope he could return for the opener but I don’t know right now,” coach Anthony Lynn said Tuesday.
■ Vikings: Linebacker Cameron Smith’s surgery to repair an enlarged heart has gone as planned, after a false positive COVID-19 test earlier this month led to the diagnosis of the second-year player’s genetic defect. Coach Mike Zimmer said Tuesday that Smith was “in good shape” after the procedure Monday in Philadelphia, where he’ll stay “for a while” to recover.
■ Browns: Rookie safety Grant Delpit will undergo surgery and miss the 2020 season after he ruptured his right Achilles tendon while going through individual drills on Monday.
■ Bengals: Cornerback Mackensie Alexander has left the team training camp as his father has been reported missing in Florida, according to NFL Network.
■ Rams: Last years fifthround pick, Micah Kiser, who’s left pectoral muscle completely tore off the bone last season is in the lead to be the starting inside linebacker in the teams opening game.