Lions Prepare for Steelers Showdown with Defensive Adjustments in Mind
The Detroit Lions took to the practice field on Thursday afternoon, gearing up for their Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The session was notable for the absence of key players; center Graham Glasgow and safety Kerby Joseph were not seen during the media-accessible portion of practice. Joseph, who has been nursing a knee injury, is still working to regain his form after a setback last week. Meanwhile, left tackle Taylor Decker made a welcome return to practice, though tight end Brock Wright and linebacker Zach Cunningham were observed working separately from the team.
Defensive Coordinator Discusses Strategic Tweaks
With the Lions’ defense facing challenges in recent games, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard addressed reporters about potential adjustments to the team’s strategy. He emphasized that the upcoming game would not see a complete overhaul of their defensive system.
“It’s definitely not an overhaul,” Sheppard stated. “There’s not enough time within a game week to overhaul a system and start to teach new things. That’s what Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, all that stuff in the offseason, training camp, that four- or five-week period is for.”
Sheppard explained that while they would not be introducing entirely new concepts, there would be some adjustments to existing principles. “We have core things that we’ve done in the past, and we’re going to intersplice some technique changes,” he noted. “But it’s not just going to be a wholesale change and we’re going to show up Sunday and look like a completely different outfit. That’s not the case. We’re still going to be a tough, mean, nasty group, biting the football, finishing on the ball.”
Anticipating a Quick-Release Quarterback
As the Lions prepare for the Steelers, they face a quarterback known for his quick release—an aspect that adds an additional layer of complexity to their defensive strategy. Sheppard acknowledged the challenge presented by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has a reputation for minimizing contact as he ages in the league.
“Rodgers isn’t letting his body hit the ground,” Sheppard remarked. “What is he, year 17, 18? He’s not hitting the ground, so just focus on how can I affect the game knowing that.” He highlighted the importance of understanding Rodgers’ familiarity with the Lions’ personnel and how it affects their game plan.
“It’s not getting caught up in, ‘We need to hit Rodgers,’” he continued. “Collectively, as a unit, going into this game, we need to understand the task at hand. How do we collectively get this mission accomplished? These guys are doing that thus far in the two days that we’ve been prepping.”
As the Lions finalize their preparations for the Steelers, the focus will be on tactical refinement and cohesion on defense, setting the stage for a critical contest as they seek to enhance their playoff positioning.
