The Lions found themselves in hot water after breaking player work rules during organized team activities, resulting in the forfeit of Monday’s scheduled practice. The team was notified by the NFL and NFLPA that their practices violated regulations on on-field physical contact, as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In response, the Lions issued a statement acknowledging the violation and expressing their commitment to adhering to the rules of the NFL’s Offseason Program.
The CBA explicitly prohibits live contact during offseason activities, which the Lions were found to have engaged in during their OTA practices in May. This violation marks the first disciplinary action taken against a team this offseason, although similar incidents have been reported in recent years. Despite their initially scheduled practices for the upcoming week, the Lions now have only Tuesday and Wednesday sessions remaining before concluding their offseason program.
Coach Dan Campbell’s memorable quote from his introductory news conference in 2021, where he declared his team would be resilient and fierce in the face of challenges, seems especially fitting in light of the recent setback. The Lions will need to regroup and ensure that their practices moving forward are conducted in accordance with the league’s guidelines.
