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Physicality is a cornerstone of football, but even in the NFL, there’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed during training camp. That line was breached on Tuesday, when Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell ejected second-year defensive back Morice Norris from the team’s third practice of camp for being too physical.
The practice was described as “chippy” by onlookers, and Campbell, known for encouraging toughness, reportedly had to step in multiple times to de-escalate rising tensions.
“Physical practice today. Dan Campbell went out of his way on multiple occasions to tone things down, warning the team to ease up. First time I’ve seen him kick a player out (DB Morice Norris) for being too physical,” reported The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy.
For a coach like Campbell, who built Detroit’s identity on grit, aggression, and resilience, to intervene in this way says a lot about the level of intensity on display.
The Lions enter the 2025 season with massive expectations, coming off a heartbreaking end to their Super Bowl pursuit in 2024. So it’s no surprise that players are bringing extra fire into camp, especially those still fighting for roster spots.
Morice Norris, an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2024, is one of those players. He appeared in just two games last season, playing one defensive snap and contributing mainly on special teams (32 snaps). Listed as a safety, Norris is trying to break through a crowded depth chart, and Tuesday’s incident could be a reflection of that urgency, though it might have worked against him this time.
Still, Campbell’s message was aimed at preserving player health and keeping camp under control. As the Lions continue to push toward their Super Bowl goals, maintaining the right balance between physicality and discipline will be crucial, especially for players on the fringe.
Norris’s aggressive approach may have earned him attention, but with roster cuts looming, he’ll need to prove he can channel that energy productively moving forward.