Tag: Isaac Nauta

David Blough among Lions’ protected practice squad players for Week 1

The Detroit Lions have named their four practice squad players who have been protected for Week 1 of the 2020 regular season.

According to the NFL transaction wire, the Detroit Lions have named the four practice squad players who have been protected for Week 1 of the 2020 regular season.

If you are not familiar with this new practice squad rule change, here’s the short version:

The NFL and NFLPA have added a clause, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that allows teams to protect four players on their practice squad from signing a contract with another NFL team.  This protection label lasts one week (through the end of the day of the team’s game), then there is a short window where the player is not protected, and finally, the process starts over again on Tuesday afternoon.

For Week 1, the Lions assigned a protection label to quarterback David Blough, running back Jonathan Williams, tight end/H-back Isaac Nauta, and cornerback/gunner Dee Virgin.

Protecting Blough makes a ton of sense for the Lions, as having a third quarterback who knows the system in the building is imperative. It wouldn’t be at all surprising if Blough was protected every week he is on the Lions practice squad.

Williams was likely protected as health insurance at the running back position. With Bo Scarbrough on injured reserve, D’Andre Swift currently banged up, Kerryon Johnson coming off two seasons where he spent time on injured reserve, and Adrian Peterson only being in the building a few days, Williams gives the Lions some security.

Nauta gives the Lions insurance at two positions. Keeping him at the ready if rookie Hunter Bryant’s hamstring injury lingers, or if he struggles at the position. As well as at the fullback where Jason Cabinda is in his first year at the position.

Virgin has been terrific as a starting gunner for the Lions the last two seasons, but when that is all you do, it’s difficult to justify a spot on a 53-man roster. That being said, the starting gunner opposite Tony McRae is a bit of an unknown, and if that player struggles, having Virgin protected is a nice security blanket for special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs.

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Detroit Lions sign TE Isaac Nauta to practice squad

Former Georgia football TE Isaac Nauta has signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad after being cut one day prior.

Former Georgia tight end Isaac Nauta, who left Athens following his junior year, was selected 224th overall by the Detroit Lions in the final round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Nauta was waived by Detroit going into his rookie season, starting on the team’s practice squad in 2019.  He then worked his way onto the active roster in November of 2019, appearing in six games.  Nauta totaled 2 receptions for 13 yards in those games.

Nauta was yet again waived by the Lions this offseason, not making the 53-man roster on Saturday.  The Lions then signed Nauta just one day later to their practice squad.

Nauta is still young and has lots of time to develop as an NFL tight end.  He has a large 6-foot-4, 250 pound frame mixed with some serious athletic ability.  Nauta proved himself valuable while at UGA, recording 68 receptions for 905 yards and 9 touchdowns in just three years.

It will be interesting seeing whether Nauta is able to secure his spot back on Detroit’s active 53-man roster later on in the 2020 season.

Lions 2020 training camp participation report: Jeff Okudah misses time on Saturday

Updating the Detroit Lions player participation report during the fifth day of their 2020 training camp.

During Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia’s Saturday morning press conference, he acknowledged concerns around soft tissue injuries with the shortened offseason, as we have seen some of that with Lions players so far in training camp.

“Certainly in general, high-injury-rate players in the NFL are rookies and younger players, plus older-injured vets,” Patricia said. “Those are kind of the two groups that we always keep track of as far as injury histories and things like that. Sometimes we’re a little bit cautious with those guys.”

Today, two more rookies appeared to suffer soft tissue injuries, though the severity of each looks a bit different.

Jeff Okudah

After stretching, position groups split up and began warm-up drills. After his first or second rep, Okudah pulled up and was called off the field. A trainer and Okudah had a discussion for a few minutes, then Patricia was called over and appeared to shut him down for the day.

Okudah remained on the sidelines, following the position group around and chatting with coaches and players but he did not participate. On the surface, this looks precautionary but soft tissue injuries can be tricky so we will have to wait and see where he is tomorrow.

Hunter Bryant

Bryant pulled up during a TE vs S one-on-one drill and grabbed his hamstring. He was seen and stretched out by a trainer but after several minutes he slowly left the field and did not return.

D’Andre Swift and Bo Scarbrough remain sidelined

Also during his morning press conference, Patricia acknowledged that both running backs D’Andre Swift and Bo Scarbrough would be held out of Saturday’s practice. He didn’t address the type of injuries they are dealing with but noted that due to the pace of Saturday’s practice he didn’t want to expose them to at this point.

Desmond Trufant sits again

Friday looked like a rest day for Trufant but he remained on the sideline and not participating again on Saturday, which is mildly concerning. This could be a “pace of practice” issue, or potentially something more — but the fact that he was present is encouraging.

Marvin Hall returns in full

Hall left the field on Friday and his limp looked worrisome. Fortunately, Hall returned to the field on Saturday, took his place with the second team, and didn’t miss a rep.

Victor Bolden and Matt Nelson getting light work

On Friday the extent of Bolden’s participation was riding a stationary bike, and while he did that again on Saturday, he also was with his position group on the field which is a step in the right direction to returning.

Nelson only ran on Friday, and on Saturday he saw reps at right tackle when the Lions rolled three offensive lines — which was only a few times.

Nick Bawden, Isaac Nauta, Beau Benzschawel

Bawden, Nauta, and Benzschawel are with their position groups but not mixing in yet. Mostly just doing stuff off to the side and learning from the sidelines.

Austin Bryant remains on PUP

Bryant remains on the Physically Unable to Participate (PUP) list with an undisclosed injury. He is eligible to be removed at any time once he is deemed healthy.

Lions 2020 training camp participation report: D’Andre Swift absent on Friday

Updating the Detroit Lions player participation levels during their 2020 training camp, including rookie running back D’Andre Swift’s absence on Friday.

Updating the Detroit Lions player participation levels during Friday’s 2020 training camp practice.

D’Andre Swift, RB

According to Detroit News’ Justin Rogers, at Thursday’s practice, Swift required attention from a trainer after “working one-on-one routes and blocking assignments against the team’s linebackers”.

On Friday, he came out with the team for stretches, got some more time with a trainer, and wasn’t seen on the field for the rest of the day.

Bo Scarbrough, RB

On Tuesday, Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman noted that Scarbrough “got up slowly and didn’t appear to do much the rest of the day.” He was absent from practice on Thursday and again on Friday.

“I think we’re going to re-evaluate him right now,” coach Matt Patricia said at his morning press conference. “One thing for us to remember in all of this is that we’re continually trying to build on everybody’s back-to-practice workload. Just trying to be smart with some of those guys too, if there’s general soreness or tightness or things like that we need to keep an eye on.”

Nick Bawden, FB

Bawden was not known to have an injury at this time but he was not seen participating in today’s practice, only running off to the side and observing. He is coming off a second ACL injury in as many years and this may be part of the recovery process.

Isaac Nauta, TE/H-B

Iauta has apparently been limited since the beginning of camp was only seen doing conditioning work with trainers.

Marvin Hall, WR

Near the end of practice, Hall required attention from a trainer, left the field, and was unable to return before the session expired. We will have to wait and see if he is able to participate tomorrow.

Victor Bolden, WR

Bolden stretched with the team to begin the day but as they split off into positional drills, he shifted to the conditioning tent and rode a stationary bike for the better part of the morning.

Beau Benzschawel, IOL

Benzschawel continues to only participate in conditioning exercises with trainers.

Austin Bryant, EDGE

Bryant remains on the Physically Unable to Participate (PUP) list with an undisclosed injury. He is eligible to be removed at any time once he is deemed healthy.

Desmond Trufant, CB

From a distance, Trufant appeared to get a veteran rest day. He was not with trainers, followed his group around, and interacted with the younger corners. If he is not on the field tomorrow, there may be more to this story.

Bumps and bruises

Jamal Agnew and Jeff Okudah both required attention from trainers at different points but both remained on the field and participated in practice.

“I landed pretty awkwardly, Okudah said after practice. “Got up, shrugged it off. Pretty much just a football play. That happens over the course of a practice. The big thing was that I was able to come back and finish practice.”

Okudah would go on to make an interception a short time later — he’s fine.

Isaac Nauta removed from reserve/COVID-19 list

The Detroit Lions have announced that they have removed tight end Isaac Nauta removed from reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Detroit Lions have announced that they have removed sophomore tight end Isaac Nauta removed from reserve/COVID-19 list.

Nauta is the first of eight players the Lions placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week, and the seven who still remain are:

After just days spent away from Allen Park, it’s presumed that he was asymptomatic, but unclear if he actually tested positive for the coronavirus. In either scenario, Nauta would have had to pass at least two follow up tests in the last five days to pass health requirements.

Now he is eligible to return to Allen Park and after he passes his team physical, he will be able to attend the Lions strength and conditioning program already in progress.

Isaac Nauta placed on COVID-19 reserve list by the Lions

The Detroit Lions have placed second-year tight end Issac Nauta on COVID-19 reserve, giving the team a league-high seven players on the list.

The Detroit Lions have placed second-year tight end Isaac Nauta on COVID-19 reserve, giving the team a league-high seven players on the list.

This means Nauta has either tested positive or been in close proximity of someone who tested positive — which group he falls in is not known as the Lions are not permitted to disclose if a player tested positive or not.

Nauta joins starting corner Justin Coleman who was also placed on the COVID-19 reserve list today, as well as five others from yesterday including Kenny Golladay, T.J. Hockenson, Amani Oruwariye, Jalen Eliott, and Aaryn Siposs — who admitted he tested positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic.

If Nauta did test positive, like Siposs, he would have to take the following steps to return to Allen Park, per NFL/NFLPA report on COVID education:

If Nauta was just in close proximity of a person who tested positive the following steps would need to be taken, per the above report:

Georgia great, Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift tabbed as instant impact rookie

Former Georgia football RB D’Andre Swift, now with the Detroit Lions, tabbed as an instant-impact NFL rookie.

USA TODAY has released its list of the 20 NFL rookies who could make instant impacts in the 2020 NFL season. Among those listed is former Georgia star D’Andre Swift, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in this year’s NFL Draft.

Swift checked in at No. 7 on the list.

Via USA TODAY :

“Detroit Lions RB D’Andre Swift (second round / 35th overall): Since Barry Sanders retired in 1999, this team has enjoyed four 1,000-yard rushing seasons from three players, none since 2013. Swift totaled nearly 2,300 yards on the ground over his final two season at Georgia and has the tools to supplant oft-injured Kerryon Johnson, perhaps on an every-down basis.”

Also on the list was former Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who went undrafted and was signed by the Colts. He checked in at No. 20.

We touched on that here. 

It looks as if Swift landed in a good spot in Detroit. He has former Georgia passer Matthew Stafford under center, one of the most prolific passers in the NFL, and will be competing for the starting job with former Auburn Tiger Kerryon Johnson, who is entering his third year and has had a hard time staying healthy.

Last week, Stafford, Swift, and former Bulldog, Lions tight end Isaac Nauta were seen working out together. Rumors surfaced that Swift was the favorite to win the starting running back job over Johnson, but the former Auburn back was quick to fire back at the critics who assumed he wasn’t staying in shape.

As the NFL begins to reopen its team facilities, we should get a better look at both Johnson and Swift as teams begin to practice for the 2020 season. Regardless on who is tabbed as the starter come September, Swift will see plenty of touches, especially through the air from that infamous Stafford side-arm.

Establishing the 53: Weighing the options of keeping a FB vs an H-B

Examining the Detroit Lions roster, specifically the fullbacks and H-backs, and determining which has the best chance to make the 53-man roster.

We are a long way from NFL training camps and even further from the regular season, but it’s never too early to examine and speculate about the Detroit Lions roster. Currently, the Lions have 90-players on their roster, and come September, there will likely be some difficult decisions to make when determining their final 53-players.

Previously, in this new series of articles at Lions Wire, we rounded out the running backs group, and in this piece, we will take a deeper look at the players who complement them — the fullbacks and H-backs.

What happened in 2019?

After missing his rookie season will a torn ACL, Nick Bawden appeared to be a man with a purpose during training camp. Goal-line carries, swing passes, button hooks, and of course lead blocking, Bawden was deployed in several situations, especially near the goal line. Surprisingly, all of that disappeared — save lead blocking — once the regular season rolled around.

Bawden saw 125 snaps on offense, had zero rushing attempts, four receptions for 17 yards, and graded out (per Pro Football Focus) as a well above average pass blocker and underperforming run blocker.

In Week 11, Bawden went down with another knee injury, was placed on injured reserve, and was replaced in the lineup with rookie tight end/H-back Isaac Nauta.

Nauta would go on to see 41 offensive snaps over the final six games — 34 came as an H-back –, he recorded two receptions for 13 yards, graded out (per PFF) as an above-average pass blocker and was average as a run blocker.

At-a-glance comparison:

Games played Off. snaps per gm Rec per gm Yards per rec Pass Protection Run blocking
Bawden 10 12.5 0.4 4.25 Well above average Below average
Nauta 6 6.83 0.33 6.5 Above average Average

Bawden was the Lions’ first choice last season and when he saw that field he slightly outproduced Nauta in each category, save the most important — run blocking. Nauta didn’t light the world on fire as a run blocker either though and he was below Bawden in most of the above categories, but he deserves some leeway as he was a rookie and playing out of his natural tight end position.

Special teams

The numbers on special teams also slightly favor Bawden. He played in all four phases — kick coverage, kick blocking, punt coverage, and punt blocking — and averaged 17.8 special teams snaps per game.

Nauta averaged 13.7 special teams snap over his six games, and while he started out participating in all four phases, his numbers are lower than Bawden’s mostly because he was removed from the kick-off coverage unit over the final four games.

From a performance perspective, both were close in their PFF grades with Bawden getting the slight edge.

Conclusion

This will likely be one of the closer battles in training camp and could easily come down to overall team philosophies on offense and special teams. Do they want a bruising lead blocker or a positional flexible option?

Based on what we saw in 2019, Bawden appears to be the preferred option and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if he opens up camp with an impactful role. The main factor keeping him from being locked into the roster is he is a fullback only on offense, and he has had two significant knee injuries in as many years.

Meanwhile, Nauta has been fully available, showed he has the potential to fill two roles on offense — as a third (blocking) tight end and H-B –, as well as a contributor on special teams, and it’s reasonable to expect his game to grow as he develops in his sophomore season.

At the end of the day, this is a specialty position (7-12 offensive snaps a game) and in order to fill it, you need to be one of two things: flexible enough to fill more than just one role, and/or elite at what you do.

Bawden may be better at what he does than Nauta is right now, but because he is limited in his roles, he needs to be exceptional at them — which, save pass pro, he is not at this time.

Erik’s prediction: Unless Bawden enters camp and blows it up, Nauta’s position flexibility and availability likely carries an advantage at that’s why he gets my nod for the 53, sending Bawden to the practice squad.

Every prime time NFL game featuring former Georgia football players

After the release of the 2020 NFL schedule, here’s a look at every prime-time game that former Georgia football players will appear in.

On Thursday, the NFL released its 2020 schedule, providing more optimism that a football season will take place come September.

With Georgia having added seven new players into the league via the NFL Draft, there’s going to be a number of UGA fans hoping for a chance to watch some former Dawgs play on prime-time television.

The Patriots, Cowboys, Chiefs, Packers, 49ers, Rams and Buccaneers will be featured most in prime time during the 2020 NFL season with five games apiece.

Georgia players on those teams:

Cowboys, Packers and Bucs do not have any Bulldogs.

Patriots: C David Andrews, RB Sony Michel, OL Isaiah Wynn

Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman

49ers: TE Charlie Woerner

Rams: OLB Leonard Floyd, ILB Natrez Patrick, DB Tyrique McGhee.

Here is a list of every nationally televised NFL game featuring Georgia Bulldogs.

Some of these game are subject to a time change and some of the players signed as undrafted free agents. As of right now, these are the teams they are on.

For a full list of Georgia players and their NFL teams, click here.

Thursday Night Football:

  • Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: Fox, NFL Network
  • Live stream: Amazon Prime

Thursday Sept. 17: Browns at Bengals

Georgia players on Browns: RB Nick Chubb, RB Brian Herrien

Georgia players on Bengals: DT Geno Atkins, WR AJ Green, DT Tyler Clark, DB Shawn Williams

Thursday Sept. 24: Dolphins at Jaguars

Georgia players on Dolphins: OG Solomon Kindley

Georgia players on Jags: WR Chris Conley, WR Terry Godwin, DT Abry Jones, S J.R. Reed

Thursday Oct. 1: Broncos at Jets

Georgia players on Broncos: N/A

Georgia players on Jets: WR Lawrence Cager, OLB Jordan Jenkins

Thursday Oct. 8: Buccaneers at Bears

Georgia players on Bucs: N/A

Georgia players on Bears: WR Reggie Davis, DT John Jenkins, WR Riley Ridley, LB Roquan Smith, WR Javon Wims

Thursday Oct. 15: Chiefs at Bills

Georgia players on Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman

Georgia players on Bills: QB Jake Fromm, WR Isaiah McKenzie

Thursday Oct. 22: Giants at Eagles

Georgia players on Giants: OT Andrew Thomas, LB Tae Crowder, OLB Lorenzo Carter

Georgia players on Eagles: RB Elijah Holyfield

Thursday Oct. 29: Falcons at Panthers

Georgia players on Falcons: RB Todd Gurley

Georgia players on Panthers: N/A

Thursday Nov. 5: Packers at 49ers

Georgia players on Packers: N/A

Georgia players on 49ers: TE Charlie Woerner

Thursday Nov. 12: Colts at Titans

Georgia players on Colts: K Rodrigo Blankenship, OLB Justin Houston

Georgia players on Titans: C Ben Jones, OT Isaiah Wilson, OLB D’Andre Walker

Thursday Nov. 19: Cardinals at Seahawks

Georgia players on Cardinals: OL Lamont Gaillard

Georgia players on Seahawks: DB Jayson Stanley

THANKSGIVING

Thursday Nov. 26: Texans at Lions (12:30 p.m. CBS)

Georgia players on Texans: OLB Davin Bellamy, WR Tyler Simmons

Georgia players on Lions: RB D’Andre Swift, QB Matt Stafford, DT John Atkins, TE Isaac Nauta

Thursday Nov. 26: Redskins at Cowboys (4:30 p.m. Fox)

Georgia players on Redskins: OLB Thomas Davis, S Maurice Smith

Georgia players on Cowboys: N/A

Thursday Nov. 26: Ravens at Steelers (8:20 p.m. NBC)

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Georgia players on Steelers: N/A

Thursday Dec. 3: Cowboys at Ravens 

Georgia players on Cowboys: N/A

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Thursday Dec. 10: Patriots at Rams

Georgia players on Patriots: C David Andrews, RB Sony Michel, OL Isaiah Wynn

Georgia players on Rams: OLB Leonard Floyd, ILB Natrez Patrick, DB Tyrique McGhee

Thursday Dec. 17: Chargers at Ravens 

Georgia players on Chargers: N/A

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Friday Dec. 25: Vikings at Saints

No Georgia players in this game

Next: Sunday Night Football

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Georgia greats, Lions teammates Matt Stafford, D’Andre Swift, Isaac Nauta workout together

Former Georgia Bulldogs RB D’Andre Swift, QB Matthew Stafford and TE Isaac Nauta seen working out together in Detroit.

With the 35th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected Georgia running back D’Andre Swift, where he will team up with some fellow Bulldogs.

Swift will be joining former teammate and Lions’ tight end Isaac Nauta, along with legendary Georgia Bulldog and Lions’ franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford, selected 1st overall in 2009.

Former UGA defensive tackle John Atkins is also on the roster.

All Georgia Bulldog fans have been ecstatic to see these Dawgs get to work in Detroit, and that day has come.

It was not all four of them, but Stafford, Swift and Nauta were seen working out for the first time together this Friday.

Even though we didn’t get to see any practice reps with the three, it’s refreshing to see some Dawgs on the turf, especially these three together.

We’re expecting big things out of the Dawgs in Detroit come next season.