While the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts still have a preseason game to play on Saturday, the more compelling action may have taken place over the past 48 hours in Westfield, Indiana.
Joint practices are unique because coaches can collaborate to create any kind of situation they’d like, whereas games just unfold the way they unfold. If the Lions really want to see how their first-team defensive line matches up with talented interior offensive linemen like Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly in goal-line situations, they can (and did). If they want their cornerbacks to get extended reps against young, promising receivers like Michael Pittman Jr and Alex Pierce, they can get as much work as they need during practices.