Lions LB calls out Dolphins ahead of joint practices: ‘I don’t know if they’re ready’

Joint practices in the NFL preseason often bring a little bit of flair, and there may already be some competition brewing between the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions as the two teams prepare to practice together on Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Lions linebacker Grant Stuard issued a bit of a challenge aimed at the Dolphins during a recent podcast appearance, saying he doesn’t know if Miami is “ready” for the joint practices.

As the Dolphins try to establish a new and improved culture this season, the preseason is a good chance for them to prove that they’ve got a certain edge and toughness that they lacked before. Stuard’s comments could serve as motivation for the team to bring it this week.

The joint practices will come ahead of a preseason clash between the teams on Saturday. It will mark Miami’s second preseason game after the team played to a tie with the Chicago Bears this past weekend. For the Lions, this will be their third preseason game. They’ve gone 1-1 so far.

Stuard has become a nice success story after he was the last selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. He began his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spending one season with them before putting together a three-season stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Now, he finds himself with the Lions. He has made a mark on special teams during his career.

But he’s also gotten some defensive snaps at times in the NFL, and last season, his biggest defensive game of the season came against the Dolphins. He had 19 tackles (11 solo and eight assisted) against Miami, even registering a tackle for loss. The Dolphins lost that game.

Now, it seems like he’s looking forward to going up against Miami again. The joint practices this week could come with a little extra juice, so they will be something to keep an eye on.

After the two teams play this weekend, they will each have one preseason game remaining before the start of the regular season. For the Dolphins, their preseason finale will come against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Lions, meanwhile, will wrap up their preseason against the Houston Texans.