Ennis Rakestraw injures chest in Lions practice
Per multiple reports, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw had to leave the field early in the session. The team said that he is being evaluated for a chest injury.
Rakestraw was a second-round pick last season, but was limited to eight regular season appearances because of a hamstring injury. He had six tackles in those appearances.
Sunday opened with word that defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike will miss the year with a torn ACL. The Lions will be hoping for better news about Rakestraw's outlook.
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USA Today
32 minutes ago
- USA Today
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger: Do tougher practices equal tougher Cowboys?
Let's face it, the Dallas Cowboys have been pretty soft as of late. It was a trait dating back before even the Dan Quinn era. They were said to be front runners, big play hunters, players more interested in making a splash than executing the assignment. They were undisciplined and untough. Based on their matchups against the NFL's most physical teams over the past few seasons, it's hard to argue to the contrary. Some of their most embarrassing losses, playoffs and otherwise, have occurred because they were simply out-physicalled on the field. As Bob Dylan famously said, 'the times, they are a-changin.' These are not Mike McCarthy's Cowboys. These are not Jason Garrett's Cowboys. They definitely aren't Wade Phillips' Cowboys. You probably have to go back to Bill Parcells to find a training camp that hits like this one. It's according to plan for first year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. He's seen the dearth of toughness in Dallas. He's seen the undisciplined nature of the team. He's even witnessed the tail between the legs. He's seen everything we as fans and media have seen and he's not going to put up with it. Changing a culture isn't an easy task. It takes a lot more than changes in practice structure or degree of contact in camp to change a culture. It takes changes in mindset and stubborn competitiveness at every corner. Schottenheimer has fostered a competitive environment every step of the way. From positional dry board competitions to film room competitions, to games on the field, to athletic feats in the locker room, Schottenheimer has them competing. A shift such as this is not without its consequences. The Cowboys have suffered a rash of injuries since training camp began in late July. With a handful of players still working back from offseason surgeries, some position groups have been operating as a skeleton crew in Oxnard. Don't get the wrong idea, this isn't a recreation of Red Bryant's Junction Boys or anything. There's no negligence or heartless brutality, but there is an obvious uptick in physicality and contact. It's led to bad blood and fights along the way, which can be seen as a step in the right direction and simultaneously a step in the wrong direction. There's no perfect way to handle a culture change such as this but it's an issue that Schottenheimer seems hellbent on addressing. The Cowboys avoided disaster when a perceived ACL injury turned into a simple (simple?) fracture for starting left tackle Tyler Guyton. The prognosis went from one season lost to one game lost in an instant and puffed air back into a suddenly deflated fanbase. To some it could have been seen as a learning opportunity or a shot across the bow. But not to Schottenheimer. The close call for Guyton served as a reminder what the cost can be for operating a hard-nosed training camp such as this. Injuries are unavoidable in all formats but the link between an increase in physicality and an increase in injury isn't a hard one to make. So, is it worth it? Go watch the Buffalo game from 2023, or the wild card playoff game from season, or any of the San Francisco games over the last few years before you answer that question. it worth it? You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Lions' Dan Campbell Threatens to Cut Players Over HoF Game Disaster
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NFL Hall of Game was a one-sided affair, as the Los Angeles Chargers handily beat the Detroit Lions with a final score of 34-7. Granted, the game was preseason and featured backups and third and fourth stringers, but the score and events were enough to lead to a sizable threat. More news: Surprise AFC Team is Pitching to Trade for Terry McLaurin Lions head coach Dan Campbell is one of the most intense head coaches, but his leadership has completely turned the franchise around. Naturally, he expects the best out of his players, and the Hall of Fame game was simply not that. The Lions turned the ball over five times, two of which came from costly interceptions thrown by Kyle Allen. The result of the turnovers was enough for Campbell to rip into his players, and offer a bit of a threat regarding their statuses on remaining on the roster. "We turned it over five times and we didn't get any takeaways," Campbell said. "You're wearing Lions gear, you've got to take care of the ball, or it's going to be hard to keep you around." Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions reacts during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions reacts during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Photo byMore news: Dolphins' Tyreek Hill Breaks Silence on Tua Tagovailoa's Brutal Comments Campbell also stated that he expects the team to play better in the next game. Should the Lions perform the way they did in the Hall of Fame game, Campbell might make good on his promise. The Lions came into the 2024 season blazing, putting together a 15-2 record and winning the NFC North for the second season in a row. Sadly, a wealth of injuries led to the team not being able to make it to the big show. Still, the Lions remain one of the biggest contenders in the NFC, and they should go on another deep playoff run in 2025. Losing preseason games doesn't really mean much of anything, as it's a time in which coaches can evaluate the depth of their rosters. Despite Campbell being upset, it's good the team is making a ton of mistakes now. It is better to make mistakes early on, so those mistakes can be corrected by the time Week 1 rolls around. Also, many of the players currently on the Lions roster might not even make the 53-man roster. Either way, Campbell is showing the fire that he is known for, and why Detroit has completely bought into his leadership. For more on the Lions and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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The pivotal British & Irish Lions pick that could undo Australia in first Test
If the task of selecting any international side involves a head coach blending art and science, then the job of nailing down a British & Irish Lions Test team is a lot like alchemy, an exploration of the unknown pursued in the hope of finding a magical elixir. For Andy Farrell, this has been a unique challenge; with the quadrennial tourists, there can be no thought given to fixtures of the future – just the task at hand of three Tests against Australia in which his Lions legacy will be defined. Unanimity of approving voices is an impossible pursuit, proud patriots, dissidents and detractors sure to argue the case of those excluded regardless of the actual composition. Take, for example, the exclusion from the first Test of the unfortunate Jac Morgan, which leaves the Lions without a Welshman for the first time since the 19th century – on form, the scavenging openside has probably been the best No 7 on tour but misses out to Tom Curry, already a three-time Test Lion and the sort of big match animal the side will feel they need against the Wallabies. Morgan and the rest of those excluded will cross their fingers that a chance will come; 32 players were used across the three Tests on the Lions' last trip here, and 31 made appearances against the Springboks four years ago. Those picked cannot afford to simply count their blessings and cruise through – Peter O'Mahony captained the side to defeat in the first Test against New Zealand in 2017 and never wore the famous red shirt again. Andy Farrell has named his side for the first test in Brisbane (Getty Images) 'There's obviously scope for all sorts of things to happen in the next few weeks,' Farrell suggested. 'But these guys who are renting the shirt on Saturday, they have a responsibility to perform, to put themselves in the best place to wear it again in the second Test and therefore in the third Test.' Somewhat strangely, Farrell's thankless task was almost made easier by his injury absentees, clarifying areas of contention to make the jigsaw puzzle slot more smoothly into place. Were it not for a concussion, there is a strong chance that Garry Ringrose would have worn No 13. With the Irishman out, an all-Scottish midfield of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones makes sense outside of nailed-on starter Finn Russell. Mack Hansen had made a run for a spot in the 23 before his ill-timed foot injury; he and Blair Kinghorn, still not at full fitness after his own knee knock, being ruled out has almost necessitated Marcus Smith's place on the bench, given the fly-half's ability to provide full-back cover. And so it is up front where the greater points of contention come. From the moment Farrell selected five openside options and six locks in his initial 38-man squad, the suggestion had been that one of each would man the flanks come the Tests. There was no wrong answer to the question of who wore No 7, with Curry's physicality edging out Morgan, Ben Earl, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock. While the selection was being named, the latter pair and Duhan van der Merwe were on a seaplane out to the Great Barrier Reef in support of one of the Lions' charity partners, an unforgettable trip that nobody wished to be on, given what it meant selection-wise. At No 8, Jack Conan's extra bulk always felt necessary to ballast the good ship Lions as it embarks in earnest. More intriguing tactically is the deployment of Tadhg Beirne on the blindside. Like Curry, it is tough to make a case based on pure form, but Farrell has placed trust in a figure he knows well. The Munsterman's installation as captain twice during this tour was indicative of the head coach's admiration for a player who has looked a little leggy at the end of a long season, but only two locks (Maro Itoje and Grant Gilchrist) hit more combined rucks on both sides of the ball during the Six Nations. In a series in which the battle on the floor will be key, Beirne's ability as clearer and carrion feeder make him a valuable figure, even if some mobility is sacrificed. Tadhg Beirne's all-round game has earned him selection on the blindside (Getty Images) So, too, does his work at the lineout. International coaches remain split on the impacts of the law tweaks on the lineout that came in at the start of the Six Nations – England's Steve Borthwick has generally moved away from a long-limbed six – but set-piece instability is a surefire way of ridding yourself of a platform. Beirne, Ireland's lead lineout caller, has the ability to take some of the load off captain Itoje while putting pressure on the Wallabies aerially. 'Obviously we feel that's the right balance for the first Test, the combination of Tadhg being the type of player that he is, his quality in the set-piece, but his all-round ability, either as the jackaller or a ball-playing six, complements Jack [Conan],' Farrell explained. 'In a similar regard, Tom being the engine that we all know that we need in regards to Test match football.' How the hosts play is almost of more intrigue now confirmation has come of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton's injuries, their forwards packing less of a punch with Angus Bell only on the bench. The sense is of a home side that may look to stay in the fight and spoil the Lions' ball; Farrell, by contrast, will be hoping his side can dictate terms. Lions XV to face Australia in Brisbane (Saturday 19 July, 11am BST): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Maro Itoje (capt), 5 Joe McCarthy; 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Finn Russell; 11 James Lowe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Hugo Keenan. : 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl; 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Bundee Aki.
