Detroit Lions to host Giants in joint practices before pre-season game

There were reports earlier in the offseason that the New York Giants and Detroit Lions were in discussions to hold joint practices in advance of their pre-season game in Detroit.

The Lions announced Friday that they would be hosting the Giants for joint practices in the days before their pre-season game on Friday, Aug.17.

In Preseason Week 2, the Lions will host the Giants Tuesday, Aug. 14 through Thursday, Aug. 16 for joint practices at Detroit’s headquarters and training facility in Allen Park. The Lions open their home preseason slate against the Giants on Friday, August 17 at 7 p.m. at Ford Field.

Joint practices offer both teams an opportunity to practice against an unfamiliar roster and scheme, often leading to more intense practices against players who aren’t teammates. They can also help to instill a greater sense of competition as teams look to show each other up, and joint practices have become more popular as the CBA has constrained teams’ off-season programs.

This marks the first time since 2015 that the Giants will be involved in a joint practice. That year they traveled to Cincinnati to hold a joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals before the pre-season game between the two teams.