Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from the Detroit Lions’ training camp practice on Monday.
► The Lions continued to be without nearly a dozen players for the day’s practice. Among the new additions to the injury list was backup quarterback Tim Boyle.
You may remember Boyle taking a couple of big shots, both drawing flags for roughing the passer, in Detroit’s preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills. The first of those two was a low hit by defensive end Efe Obada, which nearly forced Boyle to the sideline during the game.
On Monday, Boyle appeared to have a brace on his left ankle as a result of that hit. His status for Saturday’s preseason game against the Steelers is unknown at this point as David Blough stepped in to handle a bigger workout during practice.
► After addressing some national criticism of his clock management at the end of the game against Buffalo, the Lions spent the majority of Monday’s practice working on end-of-game situations.
The first saw the offense start with the ball, up four, with 4:25 remaining. The obvious goal was to kill as much of the clock as possible, potentially scoring in the process, to put the “game” away.
To open the segment, the first-team offense was paired against the second-team defense. Overcoming an early sack by linebacker Jahlani Tavai, the offense was able to pick up a couple first downs before punting with 14 seconds on the clock.
That’s a clear win for the offense.
► The second-team offense didn’t have the same success, going three-and-out while managing to run just 15 seconds off the clock.
That gave the first-team offense the ball back, down four in this scenario, with 3:55 remaining following the punt. The group quickly found themselves facing a fourth-and-5, but quarterback Jared Goff connected with rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown to extend the series.
Two plays and two completions later, the offense found itself just across midfield at the two-minute warning. Goff continued the march after the stoppage with completions to Kalif Raymond and St. Brown. The rookie wideout then came up with another chain-mover on a third down, setting up first-and-goal from the 5.
But that’s where the offense stalled out. Running back Jamaal Williams lost 2 yards on first down and rookie cornerback Jerry Jacobs knocked away a pass in the end zone to help end the threat.
► Randy Bullock had the better day in the battle for the kicking job, making all four of his kicks, including one from 50 yards. Zane Gonzalez, the recently added challenger, sent one of his efforts wide left.
Later in practice, cornerback Mike Ford, coming off the edge, deflected another one of Gonzalez’s attempts.
► Goff had another good practice segment, effectively executing in seven-on-seven. The quarterback started with a pair of long completions, first to Tyrell Williams running a corner pattern before connecting with Quintez Cephus on a post.
Goff also impressively squeezed a slant into the tiniest window for Tom Kennedy, who beat the tight coverage of linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Blough labored through his six reps, completing just two short throws. He nearly had a long touchdown to St. Brown down the middle, but his throw was a little too deep, preventing the receiver from getting a second foot down in bounds.
► Rookie cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu came up limping after getting tangled up with another player on punt return, but he was able to finish practice after getting looked at by a member of the training staff.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers