Ahmed Hassanein kept making his case on Monday in Allen Park, turning in another noticeable practice as the Lions reached Day 10 of training camp. The edge defender was active early, helped on an early sack, made several strong plays against the run and later celebrated after vomiting from exhaustion during a goal-line period.
For a player trying to secure a roster spot while adjusting to a new position, that kind of practice matters. Hassanein has now had multiple strong moments during camp, and the Lions are clearly paying attention to how he handles the physical and mental demands of the job.
A busy day for the edge defender
Hassanein said the exhaustion was part of the point. He explained that he was going full speed on every play, adding that he likes that feeling because practice should be hard enough to make the game feel easier. He also noted that similar moments happened often in college and were treated almost like a badge of honor.
That mindset lines up with how he described his approach to competition. Hassanein said it is about going out, doing the drill, and bringing full effort every time. In his words, it is competition, talking smack and doing what it takes to get better. He added that his goal is to attack each rep and force his opponent to come ready.
Those words matched the way he played. The early sack showed his burst, and the run-game work suggested he is not just surviving in his new role but competing in it. That is especially important in a camp setting where every strong rep can help a player separate from the rest of the roster battle.
McLaughlin gets first-team center reps
There was also a notable change along the offensive line. Cade Mays' wrist injury opened first-team center reps for Seth McLaughlin, who stepped into that role on Monday of Day 10. McLaughlin's path has already been shaped by a torn Achilles in November 2024, which ended his college career after he won the Rimington Award in 2024.
That adds another layer to the Lions' camp picture. Hassanein is trying to prove he can hold up and flash as an edge defender, while the team is also sorting through personnel changes on the offensive line. Both situations underline how much camp is about opportunity as much as talent.
Near the end of practice, Jared Goff connected with Jameson Williams on a deep ball in a situational drill. It was one more reminder that the Lions' offense can still create quick highlights, but Monday belonged in large part to Hassanein, whose energy and production made him one of the standouts on defense.
Goff gave McLaughlin a positive review after the center took those first-team reps, saying he did a good job and was sharp, decisive and commanding in the huddle. For Hassanein, the message is simpler: keep stacking days like this, and the roster case gets stronger.
