Lions notes: Kevin Strong inspired by father’s battle with lung cancer

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Kevin Strong will be battling for a roster spot this month as he tries to work his way onto the teams 53-man roster. However, there is a bigger battle ongoing in his life.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press profiled Strong and his dad’s battle with lung cancer. Strong attended college at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the team’s joint practices in Houston this week bring the defensive tackle back to his roots.

The profile goes over Strong’s relationship with his parents and how he balances family trouble with his dedication to the sport of football.

• Lions team beat writer Tim Twentyman spotlighted defensive end Romeo Okwara on Thursday, introducing fans to one of the standout players from the 2018 season.
• Safety Quandre Diggs led a group of players in a backpack giveaway at Angleton High School in Angleton, Texas, where Diggs graduated from in 2011. The teams official PR account highlighted them on Thursday.

• CBS’s John Breech ranked every single current NFL head coach who has not yet won a Super Bowl, and Lions head coach Matt Patricia was ranked 22nd.
• Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Landry Jones signed with the soon-to-be formed XFL on Thursday. Jones recently worked out for the backup quarterback job with the Detroit Lions.