LOCALS IN THE NFL

Lions Rookie Penei Sewell Handling Transition To NFL

Aug 17, 2021, 10:06 AM

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) defends against Buffalo Bills defensive end Darryl Johnson (92) during the first half of the preseason NFL football game in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Friday, August 13, 2021. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

(Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

BY STEVE KORNACKI, AP
KSL Sports

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Lions rookie right tackle Penei Sewell allowed a sack on third-and-10 in the first series of his first exhibition game Friday against the Buffalo Bills.

Sewell was the No. 7 overall pick by the Detroit Lions in the draft and Friday was his first game action in 19 months.

Lions No. 7 pick Penei Sewell shared his preseason experience after being away from football for so long. “I kind of felt like when I was a little kid again,” Sewell said. “Kind of getting introduced to this game, going out there and just kind of getting all the emotions out.” pic.twitter.com/zzPewq5yGd

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) August 16, 2021

He sat out last season after opting out, and his previous game was Oregon’s Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin in the 2019 season.

He knows that scrutiny is part of what comes with being a top-10 NFL draft pick.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).