Allen Park — Here are some notes and observations from Saturday’s training camp practice.
► In the first session open to fans, season-ticket holders were given access to Saturday’s practice and the turnout was impressive compared to recent years. Approximately 2,500 were in attendance, completely filling the stands running parallel to the sideline of the main field.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s the weekend and the weather was just about perfect, but it does speak to the budding enthusiasm for a team that had the lowest home attendance in the NFL a year ago.
► Last year, quality control coach Tanner Engstrand (now coaching the team’s tight ends) had to fill in and take some quarterback reps during rookie minicamp. A college quarterback at San Diego State nearly two decades earlier, he certainly had the credentials to fill the temporary void. But the Lions have found an even better arm on the staff, adding former Ohio State standout J.T. Barrett earlier this month.
Early in practice, Barrett was helping the receivers warm-up, throwing beautiful spirals 40 yards down the field. After bouncing around the league a bit after going undrafted in 2018, Barrett joined Detroit’s staff as an offensive assistant just ahead of the start of camp.
► Left tackle Taylor Decker was held out of practice with Penei Sewell sliding over to left tackle and Matt Nelson handling the right side. It’s likely a veteran rest day for Decker, who was dealing with a foot injury earlier in the offseason.
► Potentially a trickle down impact of Decker being sidelined, but Detroit’s defensive line had its most disruptive day of practice, across all three units.
The standout with the first-team unit was rookie Aidan Hutchinson, who found himself in the backfield on three consecutive snaps at one point, which would have likely resulted in a tackle for loss on a run and a quarterback sack.
Working opposite of Hutchinson, Charles Harris also netted a couple quarterback pressures and a sack, continuing his strong offseason performance.
Also continuing to have success is Austin Bryant. Rushing from the right side with the second-team defense, he blew up a run play early in practice, cruising around rookie left tackle Obinna Eze.
Defensive lineman John Cominsky, often working from inside alignments up front, is another defender who is consistently flashing with his ability to get into the backfield.
► The increased pocket pressure led to some sloppy quarterback play, particularly from the backups. Leading the second-team offense, David Blough looked uncomfortable and struggled with his accuracy much of the day, often underthrowing his targets.
Tim Boyle wasn’t much better, although he did have a quirky-looking jump pass deep down the field that receiver Tom Kennedy managed to impressively haul in with one hand, drawing a loud cheer from the crowd.
► The Lions worked on getting the ball downfield to tight end T.J. Hockenson, and even though things were set up for a couple of big gains on wheel routes, both passes fell incomplete because the defenders in coverage (Tracy Walker and Alex Anzalone) grabbed on to Hockenson’s jersey as he ran past them down the sideline.
► The two kickers each had five field-goal attempts with Austin Seibert clanging a 43-yarder off the left upright. He and Riley Patterson made their remaining boots, including each knocking one home from 54 yards out.
► Repeating an observation from earlier in the week, cornerback Mark Gilbert continues to catch my eye. He smothered a route on the outside, forcing Blough to move to a second read in his progression. Later, Gilbert broke on throw and was able to net a pass breakup. He remains one to watch heading into the preseason games.
► Cornerback Amani Oruwariye went down hard before exiting the field under his own power. Fortunately, he was able to return and finish practice after a brief evaluation with the trainer.
► Running back Jermar Jefferson continues to struggle as a receiving option. He’s put a number of balls on the ground to start camp and failed to secure a toss to the right flat, allowing the ball to be jarred loose by safety Brady Breeze.
► The Lions are off Sunday and return for the team’s first day in full pads on Monday.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers