Report: Lions, Patriots to hold joint walkthrough in Detroit

[Editor’s note: Story has been updated with a statement from the Detroit Lions. The two teams will not hold a practice, but rather a simple walkthrough]

Earlier in the offseason the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions announced a set of two joint practices in the lead up to the first preseason game on August 13. Unfortunately for fans, both practices are in Indianapolis and closed to the public.

But as first reported by Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the Lions will also hold a set of joint practices with the New England Patriots, their third preseason opponent.

Detroit faces off against New England on Friday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. ET.

Since the game is being played at Ford Field, the practices will take place in Michigan. Patriots coach Bill Belichick confirmed WXFT’s Tom Leyden that practices will take place at Detroit’s Allen Park practice facilities. It is still unclear whether those practices will be open to the public.

This will be the third set of joint practices in the past two years for the Lions. Last year, Detroit traveled to Pittsburgh a few days early to practice with the Steelers, and they will be traveling to Indy in a few weeks.

Obviously, it will be interesting to see Lions general manager Bob Quinn interact with his former co-workers still with the Patriots.

UPDATE: It turns out the two teams will not be practicing together, but simply participating in a joint walkthrough. Here’s the official statement from the Detroit Lions:

The Detroit Lions and New England Patriots will have one joint “walk-thru” session the day before their August 25th preseason game.

It will not be open to the public.

Well, that was fun while it lasted.