Detroit Lions DT A’Shawn Robinson excused from training camp for ‘personal matter’

On Thursday, the opening day of Detroit Lions training camp, all of the players on the roster were accounted for... except for one noticeable exception. Fourth-year defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson was missing from practice, which was a pretty big surprise considering the team told the media every player reported to camp, and Robinson was not listed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list nor the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

However, on Friday morning, Lions head coach Matt Patricia cleared up the situation. Per Patricia, Robinson was excused from practice because of a personal matter.

“A’Shawn was excused by me for a personal matter,” Patricia said. “He’ll be back shortly. I’m in contact with him.

Patricia noted that Robinson has already reported for camp, so there is no concern about a holdout, even though he is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

But while Robinson is out, the Lions reserve defensive linemen will get their opportunities at camp, as Trey Flowers and Damon Harrison Sr. remain on the Lions’ PUP and NFI lists respectively.