Detroit Lions Training Camp Observations Day 8: Aidan Hutchinson had a masterful day and another guy had the worst day ever

It was scrimmage day for the Detroit Lions at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park. Lions head coach Dan Campbell wanted to make sure that guys who weren't going to play on Thursday got plenty of reps on this day. We saw a lot, here's what we learned:

Aidan Hutchinson was absolutely unstoppable

What a day for Aidan Hutchinson. In fact, every day has just been more proof that the leg injury is not slowing him down. But on Tuesday, he went off for four sacks. He just kept beating his man over and over again, and one of those times was on Penei Sewell, too. Just put the swim move on him and went right past him.

Hutchinson is ready to play live football. One way I'm sure of that is because on one of those four sacks, he actually hit and took down Jared Goff, making everyone in attendance a little nervous for a minute.

Dan Skipper had the worst day ever

With Taylor Decker out right now, Dan Skipper is playing left tackle, and Hutchinson absolutely beat him up all day. Three of those four sacks were on Skipper. The offense just struggled to get anything going on his side of the field, and it was just a bad day for him. Skipper is a great swing tackle to have out there, but the Lions could really use Taylor Decker back as soon as possible.

Tate Ratledge is a good center, but he's a really good guard

The Lions started Ratledge at center and then moved him back to guard in the last few days. It wasn't because Ratledge couldn't play center, it's just that everything is running smoother through Graham Glasgow. Ratledge showed on Tuesday that right guard is probably where he should be when the season starts. He was opening holes that you could drive a car through. On one play, he moved Tyleik Williams like five yards off the line, and it resulted in a first down for Jahmyr Gibbs. Really strong work from him on Tuesday.

Offense noticeably struggled for most of the day

No need to pull any alarms, but this wasn't the best day for the Lions' offense on first or second team. Near the end of the day, the Lions put together a nice drive where they put up five first downs and got into the endzone with David Montgomery going up the middle. Before that, they had three total first downs all day. We're talking essentially half of football with three first downs. Jake Bates and Jack Fox got a lot of work in. It's only the second week of camp, and everyone is still gelling, so I wouldn't be super concerned, but it was rough.

Jake Bates might just be an in-game guy

Bates is an interesting kicker. Last summer, everyone gave me guff because he was missing kicks left and right at camp, and I reported that it might not be working out. Then, when he got to the game, he started making them all. It's weird. On Tuesday, it was essentially that same story. He did make a 60-yard kick, but he also missed a few from 50-plus. Maybe he's just a guy who kicks well when the lights are on bright.

Davenport continues to shine

I hate to keep sounding like a broken record, but Marcus Davenport continues to impress out there. He's getting pressure, and he's making tackles. The big one on Tuesday is where he lowered the shoulder on Jahmyr Gibbs with a big hit that might make the Lions' highlight reel. It got some gasps from fans and media in attendance for sure.

The Law Offices of Campbell and Branch

If someone made a play on defense on Tuesday, it was either Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, or Jack Campbell. For Campbell, he had one of the prettiest TFLs of the summer that also could make the highlight reel. He ran right up the middle and hit Jahmyr Gibbs dead on. He made some other good stops during the day.

As for Brance, he had a nice PBU on Amon-Ra St. Brown on a crosser and then blew up Sam LaPorta on a safety blitz that helped cause a TFL. It's always good when your good guys do good things.

Dominic Lovett impresses as a return man

Dan Campbell talked on Saturday about how he'd like to give Lovett some shots as a return man. That happened on Tuesday, and Lovett made another case as to why he should definitely be on this 53-man roster. If the whistle hadn't blown on one of Lovett's returns, he would have gone ot the house. He showed his speed by outrunning defenders to the sideline and then cutting back to the middle of the field. It was impressive, and his 40-yard dash time doesn't do him justice. On another return, he grabbed the ball off a bounce near the end zone and got it back to around where it would have been had it been a touchback. Obviously you don't want him doing that in-game, though.

Terrion Arnold injury

Arnold left the field with trainers pretty early on, and he's being evaluated for a hamstring injury per the Lions.

I did the nerdy thing with Trajan Langdon

I love football with all my heart, but basketball was my first love, and I chose not to be media-minded when it comes to the Detroit Pistons. That's my team, and I love them. So when I had a chance to talk with the Pistons GM at practice on Tuesday, I did what any 10-year-old would do. I shook his hand and told him he's doing a good job.

Emptying the notebook

• Anthony Pittman got a sack on Hendon Hooker. Hooker gave him a shoutout after practice for it, too.
• Trevor Nowaske broke down a tight end and a running back to get home for a sack. IT was pretty impressive.
• Nate Lynn and Pat O'Connor teamed up for a sack
• Jared Goff threw a beautiful touchdown pass on the run to Tim Patrick, but it was called back for illegal touching. Patrick stepped out of bounds. Still, it drew some oohs and ahhs.