DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are heading into preseason game No. 3 against the Miami Dolphins, meaning we’re less than three weeks away from the season opener.
But before Friday’s (Aug. 15) preseason game, the Dolphins traveled down to Allen Park to practice with the Lions.
Detroit dominated in joint practice on August 13, 2025.
All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was nearly unstoppable from start to finish.
He won all of his one-on-one reps against Dolphins defensive backs, had double-digit receptions in the 7-on-7 period, and scored multiple touchdowns.
“From what I saw out here, it looked pretty solid for us as an offense,” said St. Brown. “Obviously, there is going to be some things that we need to clean up, but every day we want to keep getting better-that’s the goal.”
To offensive lineman Taylor Decker, the Lions aren’t ready for Week 1 just yet. But in his eyes, Wednesday’s joint practice was the best the offense has looked all training camp.
“Overall, the execution of the offense, the physicality, the finish-it seemed like it was there,” said Decker.
What’s been a major headline out of training camp is that the Lions offense hasn’t looked like themselves.
After all, it’s their first season with their new offensive coordinator, John Morton; growing pains are to be expected.
St. Brown tells members of the media it’s just a matter of time.
“It’s the white elephant. We feel like, as an offense, maybe this camp there has been some struggles, but I feel like that’s normal,” St. Brown said.
Perhaps those early camp struggles were because of the Lions’ defense.
After a banged-up 2024 season, plenty of players are back healthy, such as Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes, who is fully recovered from the torn MCL and PCL he suffered last season.
All camp long, Barnes and the Lions’ defense have been making life tough on the offense.
At joint practice, they made life even tougher for the high-powered Dolphins offense, holding them out of the endzone for nearly the entire 11-on-11 period.
“Y’all see what happens when we got a healthy defense. Look around, you’ll see a bunch of dogs around, and then we got depth,” said Barnes.
Wednesday was the first time Barnes had hit players outside of his teammates since Week 3 last season; it was a good personal test for the linebacker.
“The only thing you’re not doing is bringing guys to the ground. The intensity has to be like a game. Right here is what shows you what the year is going to be like,” Barnes said.
So, what is the year going to be like?
If Wednesday was an omen of the Lions’ future, then they’re in great shape.
The Lions have another joint practice with Miami tomorrow before Friday’s game.
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