It's only training camp but Marcus Davenport is showing signs of an explosive 2025

The Detroit Lions have been dealing with some injury woes to begin training camp ahead of their 2025 season, with Levi Onwuzurike out for the year with a torn ACL and players like Malcolm Rodriguez and Alim McNeill having already been known as players that wouldn't be suiting up anytime soon for the team this season.

But, there's been one shining light in this year's training camp sessions for the Lions, and that's Marcus Davenport. The defensive end entering his eighth year in the NFL has a lot to prove given a lackluster 2024 season with Detroit. He played just two games with the team due to injury, so a health bounceback season is sorely needed from him.

This is especially the case since Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions' star pass rusher, will be coming back in 2025 after suffering a major leg injury in 2024. It remains to be seen just how well Hutchinson will adjust back to NFL action once he's back on the field in Week 1, but insurance for him is a huge key to Detroit's success.

Davenport can be exactly that - insurance. And, according to Lions team reporter Tim Twentyman, Davenport looks ready to take on that role in earnest.

Veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport was a beast at Lions practice Monday morning. It started in the first offense vs. defense team period when he walked a tight end back into the running back for no gain. Two plays later he flushed quarterback Jared Goff out of the pocket in what probably would have been a sack if the quarterback was live to tackle. Later, he beat All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell for a sack in a team period. Davenport was the best player on the field for the Lions Monday. It's good to see him back and making an impact after missing nearly all of last season due to injury. Tim Twentyman

Davenport looks primed for breakout 2025

Davenport signed with the Lions back in 2024, so this year - if healthy - would mark his first and only full year with the squad since coming over in free agency. The former New Orleans Saint had his best season in 2019, where he picked up six sacks, three forced fumbles, and 31 total tackles in 13 games played. It's been down hill since then for the pass rusher.

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While we wait to see if Za'Darius Smith's "are they, aren't they" flirting with the Lions will ever come to a head with a signing, it's excellent to hear that Davenport is putting in the work ncessary to plug himself into the defensive line alongside Hutchinson while Smith remains somewhat of a holdout.

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