Penei Sewell says he’s tested positive for COVID, will miss rookie minicamp

The Detroit Lions kick off rookie minicamp on Friday, but it appears they will be without their biggest attraction.

Former Oregon offensive tackle and Lions first-round pick Penei Sewell announced on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this weekend’s set of practice.

“Found out this past weekend I tested positive for COVID,” Sewell tweeted. “Really wish I was heading to my new home today and able to be at mini-camp with my new teammates and coaches. Look forward to getting out to the D as soon as I’m cleared!”

It’s a minor blow to Sewell’s rookie year. Obviously, practices at rookie minicamp aren’t fully padded or anything like a regular season practice. However, it would have been the first opportunity for Detroit’s future right tackle to practice face-to-face with coaches, absorb information directly from them, and get used to a normal-ish day inside the Lions’ Allen Park facilities.

Detroit’s rookie minicamp is scheduled to run from Friday, May 14 to Sunday, May 16.

We wish Sewell a speedy recovery and hope he can get out there on the practice field as soon as possible.