Lions Confident Jeff Okudah 'Will Be Ready' for Training Camp
The Detroit Lions are still waiting to see what they have in third-year cornerback Jeff Okudah.
As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Okudah has played in just 10 games over the first two seasons of his career. In 2021, his season was stopped after just a game, when he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles.
The Ohio State product has spent the time since then rehabbing. With the injury occurring in September, this has given him a significant amount of time to heal. Even so, Achilles' injuries are never easy to recover from.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell believes that Okudah will be ready to go by the time training camp comes around. Currently in the OTAs phase of the offseason, the injured cornerback has taken part in some of the walk-through team elements.
“I’m very encouraged,” Campbell said. “We know the surgery went well and just the rehab process, I feel really good about this, just where he’s come and where the injury is at. I feel like he’s right where he needs to be.”
Over his brief career, Okudah has a total of 51 tackles and one interception. This third season will be a pivotal one for him, as he grows closer to the final year of his rookie contract. The injury has taken some of the control out of his hands, but there is still optimism for his future.
As he nears the end of his rehab, the team is focusing on the mental side of Okudah’s return to the field.
“We’re not worried about Jeff’s movement skills,” Campbell said. “He’s gonna be able to move. You watch him with his footwork and the things he’s doing, he can do all that. That is real important right now, just continue his growth mentally. Him to be able to get the walkthrough reps and then just the film study, it’s big for him. So, it’s good to have him here. Then, when the time’s right, to go full speed. When we get to camp, he’ll be ready.”
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No decision yet on who will call offensive plays
After Anthony Lynn began the 2021 season as the offensive coordinator, the Lions’ offense sputtered out of the gates. It was Campbell who finished the season calling plays, taking over the duty in Week 10.
The Lions finished on a tear of sorts offensively, finding a roll behind starting quarterback Jared Goff. In the offseason, Campbell parted ways with Lynn, and promoted Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator.
Now, just two months before opening preseason play, Campbell is left with a decision to make as to who will call the plays for Detroit’s offense.
“To be honest with you, I think it’ll be hard to make that decision until the season’s almost here,” Campbell said. “I’m gonna let it go as it goes, and I want to be able to coach the team right now and let (Johnson) handle the offense. That way I can keep my eye on our players and what we’re doing on offense, defense and special teams. That’s what I’m trying to focus on right now.”
Campbell joked that the one way Johnson could put his mind at ease about the decision is if Johnson put up 85 points in the first preseason game.
“I just want to take it as it comes and see how he runs with it,” Campbell said. “See how he handles running the offense, doing what I need to have done on my end and my viewpoint and see how the quarterbacks are, everything. ... I’m gonna trust my gut to make that decision when the time’s right.”
Lions ‘still about running the football’
The Lions’ offensive success in the second half of the season is going to be a building block, according to Campbell.
When asked about any changes in philosophy on the offensive side, Campbell made mention of the style changes implemented in the last stretch of the season.
“The style, more than anything, is gonna be much more what you saw the back half of the year,” Campbell said. “The difference will be verbiage and the ability to change our tempo. We’re still gonna be about running the football, play-action pass. And, we hang our hat on that stuff.”
