Dan Campbell Reveals Big Training Camp Change for 2026
Dan Campbell just revealed the Detroit Lions' plan for joint practices during their upcoming training camp, which will begin in late July.
The Detroit Lions are making a noticeable shift in how they’ll approach training camp in 2026, and it could be tied to a bigger issue the team has been dealing with. Speaking at the NFL Owners’ Meetings , head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that the Lions will not hold joint practices this summer , breaking from a trend that had become a staple during his tenure. A Change From the Norm Since Campbell arrived in Detroit, joint practices have been a regular part of training camp.
The Lions have squared off with teams like the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Houston Texans in recent years, using those sessions to test themselves against outside competition. But in 2026, that approach is changing. Detroit will keep everything in-house.
Could Injuries Be Driving This? While Campbell didn’t explicitly tie the decision to injuries, it’s hard to ignore the context. Over the past couple of seasons, the Lions have been one of the more injury-hit teams in the NFL, particularly in key stretches.
Joint practices are intense. They’re physical. And they often bring a higher risk of minor injuries piling up before the season even begins.