Penei Sewell’s honest take after missing practice Wednesday

Selected in the first round of the 2021 draft, Sewell has established himself as one of the league’s premier offensive tackles. He surrendered only one sack last season, earned the top spot at his position from Pro Football Focus, and received first-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press. In the season opener against L.A., Sewell allowed just two pressures and no hits or sacks.

At just 23 years old, Sewell has proven to be remarkably durable, having not missed a single snap since his rookie year. He has played 2,381 consecutive offensive snaps in regular-season games and seldom misses practice.

The Lions resumed practice Wednesday to prepare for their upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but several key players were absent from the start of the session.

Other Lions that missed practice ahead of the face-off against the Buccaneers 

Sewell was one of three starters to miss Wednesday’s practice, alongside defensive end Marcus Davenport (groin) and safety Kerby Joseph (hamstring). Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) also sat out, while undrafted rookie safety Loren Strickland returned to practice after being sidelined last week with a thumb injury.

Davenport, one of their key offseason free agent signings, has a lengthy injury history and appeared in only four games with the Minnesota Vikings last year due to ankle surgery.

Marcus Davenport made an impressive debut for the Lions, recording a half-sack and four quarterback hits against Matthew Stafford across 49 defensive snaps, though he missed the Lions’ final defensive series.

His bull-rush move was particularly effective, allowing him to power through the offensive line and apply consistent pressure on Stafford.

Meanwhile, Joseph played 75 of 78 snaps and secured a crucial first-half interception against the Rams.

The Lions (1-0) had their full starting offensive line on the field Sunday — Sewell, Kevin Zeitler, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, and Taylor Decker — marking the first time since early training camp when Zeitler injured his shoulder.

Last season, the Lions rotated through nine different offensive line combinations.

Defensive tackle DJ Reader is set to make his return this week, nearing the end of his recovery from a torn quadriceps tendon sustained late in the 2023 season.

Heading into the game, Lions coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the challenge of facing the Buccaneers, who impressed with their performance in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders.