ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Another day, another OTA session in the books for the Detroit Lions.The Lions will wrap up OTAs soon, then pivot to mandatory minicamp — with Tuesday and Wednesday’s practices open to the media. That’ll be our last chance to get eyes on the team before training camp — one that figures to be one of the most competitive of the Dan Campbell era.Until then, though, here’s what we learned Thursday.Kelvin Sheppard is learning to adaptKelvin Sheppard, tasked with replacing Aaron Glenn, approached his first year as Lions defensive coordinator like his predecessor. The Lions had an identity. They were a man-heavy team that asked players to hold their own in coverage. Their defensive line was designed to stop the run first, then rush the passer, and Sheppard’s linebackers all had defined roles.At times, they worked together in unison. When they did, it yielded the results the front office thought this defense could. Injuries, inconsistencies and, Sheppard says, a bit of stubbornness led to a bad second half that made you forget a lot of the good. The Lions ranked 22nd in defensive success rate, 26th in points per game and 27th in yards allowed from Weeks 10 through 18.After an offseason deep dive aimed at answering the why behind those struggles, Sheppard believes he has answers without sacrificing the principles Glenn left him.“Being able to adapt in those moments, and not being hard-headed and stubborn. Yeah, we have principles, and we’re not moving off those, but again, adapting and adjusting within that,” he said.Sheppard says the Lions plan to play more nickel after finishing last season with the lowest nickel rate in the league at 33.7 percent. It certainly sounds like the Lions are going to tailor their defenses to the opponents they’re playing each week, rather than trot out a standard lineup. Though the Lions are still a man-heavy team in terms of coverage, adapting based on the personnel at their disposal and the personnel they’re facing sounds like a point of emphasis.Campbell said Sheppard has a much better grasp of how he wants this defense to look. Detroit has strong pieces in place. It’s just about getting healthier, then getting the most out of this group. As Sheppard adapts in his second year as a play caller, it could have a tangible impact on this defense.“He sees it all, and that’s what happens when you’re able to do it,” Campbell said. “You go through a season, you go through the practices, you kind of key and diagnose yourself as a play caller. … You can’t help (but) get better, whether you’re a head coach or an OC, DC, special teams. … I love where Shep is at right now.”D.J. Reed’s burst is backWhen the Lions signed D.J. Reed to a three-year, $48 million contract last offseason, they believed they were getting one of the NFL’s steadiest cornerbacks, capable of playing like a pseudo No. 1 defender. They had no reason to think otherwise. After all, that’s what he’d been throughout his career.But that’s not what they got. Reed had a down year, making him an easy target of criticism.However, when you peel back the curtains of his 2025 season, you realize some grace might be required.Reed was playing good football through the first month or so of the season, until a hamstring injury suffered against the Browns in Week 4 threatened to derail his season. Reed said he thought surgery would be required to repair the strained hamstring, which likely would’ve ended his season. Tests later revealed it wasn’t as bad as he initially believed. Still, it was enough to keep him out of six games.What followed was Reed doing his best to gut it out for his team at a reduced level. He said it felt like he had to re-learn how to walk and run, then do it all backwards while guarding the best receivers in the league. He said his technique felt good, but his burst didn’t return as quickly as he would’ve liked. The lack of long speed showed when he returned. He allowed a passer rating when targeted of 131.9 and 18.9 yards per reception from Weeks 12-18.Reed wasn’t himself. He and the Lions expect a return to form in 2026.“I would say the main goal for me is just to stay healthy,” Reed said. “And that’s just doing my system, just hydrating, getting the right amount of sleep, just doing everything I can control. This offseason, I did a lot as far as treatment regarding the hamstring, just to get back to where I needed to be. I went to Panama and got some stem cells, and just rehabbing during the offseason and training. It feels good, but it’s something that you gotta keep continuing to work out and rehab.”Reed said his burst is back. He’s been available for all three of the open OTA practices. And while the hamstring is no longer an issue, he’s taking matters into his own hands, opting for preventative measures this time around.Reed knows the type of player the Lions need him to be. If he can provide the sort of play he did in New York, the Lions will be better off for it.Brian Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles and while he attended practice Thursday, there is no timetable for his return. (Junfu Han / Imagn Images)News, notes and observations• No Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Ben Bartch, Tyler Conklin, Teddy Bridgewater, Rock Ya-Sin, Brian Branch or Kerby Joseph at Thursday’s practice.• Campbell told reporters before practice that Rakestraw would miss practice but said he’s right where he needs to be and has bulked up to try to help with injury prevention.• Bartch is being held out as a precaution. His 2025 season was cut short with a foot injury, and the Lions don’t feel the need to push him right now.• Campbell said he doesn’t have a timeline for Branch’s return, but said he hasn’t had any setbacks in his rehab for a torn Achilles. He was at practice in a T-shirt and shorts.• TE Sam LaPorta continues to participate in walk-through periods of practice — a good sign, as he works his way back. The Lions are being cautious with him.• The Lions ran a team period near the end of practice, featuring the starting offense vs. the starting defense. Jared Goff was spraying the ball around the field, connecting with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on multiple occasions. With just seconds left in the drill, Goff kept it himself for a QB-sneak touchdown vs. a three-man front at the 1-yard line, then chucked the ball. The entire offense erupted.• Of note: Blake Miller was the starting right tackle during that period.• Christian Izien and Chuck Clark continue getting first-team reps at safety for Branch and Joseph. Roger McCreary remained with the ones at nickel.• The Lions ended practice with a punt fielding competition between the offense and defense. Most of the attempts were caught successfully, except for Dominic Lovett to end the drill. After Lovett’s muff, the defense was declared the winner, which meant planks for the offense. … Fun way to end things.