Worn-down, injured and severely undermanned, the Detroit Lions were difficult to watch towards the end of 2018. A grueling training camp may have played a role, and they are shifting their methods this preseason.
As they engage in their second set of joint practices this week and subsequent preseason matchup against the Houston Texans, the Lions will likely be without the services of some of their most important players. While several of them seem to be inching closer to full availability, a newfound application of exercising caution with their ailing contributors is taking shape.
In the NFL, the second preseason game often features starting players for an opening series or two, before they head to the bench to avoid any chance of an injury.