Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks to media on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 as the Detroit Lions open 2022 training camp at the team's facility in Allen Park. (Jake May | MLive.com)

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All right. Here we go. The year’s final “Hard Knocks” (at least until the broody Arizona Cardinals are featured during the in-season edition). ­­­

We’re reflecting on last week’s cut day in the intro tease. David Blough, who has since signed with the practice squad in Minnesota, gets more screen time. This recap also features one of my favorite moments of the series to this point -- head coach Dan Campbell talking to his staff about running back Craig Reynolds. It’s an in-depth, truly rare behind-the-scenes look at the process to get to 53 players. Go back and watch it again if you missed it.

“Does anybody think he should make the roster,” Campbell asks. And we’re into the final episode.

New episode: We hear Campbell talking to the coaching staff about a player being bought in and making tackles while playing aggressively. “I just, I think it’s good, man,” Campbell says to his tense-looking coaching staff.

We’re getting an inside look at the tough process on cut day. It’s tough losing 20-plus guys you spent working with through the summer (or even longer).

It’s interesting to see the heavily featured “Hard Knocks” players where they were five weeks ago ahead of training camp. Malcolm Rodriguez, Chase Lucas, Craig Reynolds, David Blough, Obinna Eze and Kalil Pimpleton have been among the heaviest featured players. HBO is flexing that creative muscle and ending the series with a reflection on the rookies before reporting to camp.

Reynolds made the roster. Pimpleton is with the practice squad for the New York Giants. Blough is in Minnesota. Rodriguez is knocking on the door of a heavy Week 1 role. And Lucas made the initial 53-man cut, too.

Eze has been shown going through some tough moments in recent episodes but landed on the team’s practice squad. He said in this sequence:

“Detroit gave me opportunity to keep chasing my dreams, and I’m here now. And it’s just, I’m a rookie. Like I’m just starting. I just got here and I’m doing my best to catch up, so it’s challenging, but it’s definitely not beyond me right now.”

Back to Campbell, speaking to knowing the feeling of the grind of training camp and making it to cut day. This is where Campbell’s reliability reigns supreme. It’s easy to talk about him being a former NFL player. But these are the moments where he makes that experience count.

“Having played, you can still put yourself in their shoes because you’ve sat in the seats they have. You’ve been through the grind. You’ve been through camp. You know the aches and pains. You know the rolling out of bed. Not getting out of bed, rolling out of bed, sometimes to the ground and then working your way back up. So, I know what that feels like. Not everybody can do it. They just can’t. I understand that, and with that, it helps you know what they’re thinking.”

Oh, wow. We’re going to see inside some conversations during cut day. Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes are at opposite sides of a table, with an empty chair in the middle at the peak. These are going to be intense moments. And here comes quarterback Tim Boyle. The backup didn’t make it through the initial cut period. He’s since rejoined the team via the practice squad.

Campbell and Holmes hug Boyle, and then they get into it. Holmes doesn’t wait around while Campbell puts his first to his chin and leans toward the quarterback.

“We’re going to have to release you,” Holmes said.

We’re getting a little dark compilation here. Boyle goes to former Michigan star Devin Funchess, who was trying to make the roster at tight end. Dan Skipper, who has since landed on the practice squad, is seen having his praises sung by Campbell.

Bruce Hector gets some time, with Holmes telling him he made it tough and that he’s got “some damn good tape out there.” Veteran Jarrad Davis, who has since rejoined via the practice squad, tells Campbell: “Your words carry weight, man.”

Skipper adds, “if there’s anything I can do.”

Hector asks if he could have done anything differently, with Campbell saying: “I don’t think there’s anything you could have done differently. I think you maximized everything you had.”

Tom Kennedy’s conversation gets featured too. Kennedy was the preseason star and has since landed on the team’s practice squad for another run. Campbell told him: “There ain’t nothing else you could do. You did everything you can possibly (expletive) do. You put it on tape and it’s all out there and you know, and we got to go another way. So, I hate it. Because you earned it. You (expletive) earned it. And it falls into, ‘well what about body type? What about a true outside receiver? And it’s, what about special teams?’ And it was a move we felt like we had to make, man.”

Davis tells Holmes and Campbell that they have a tough job and that he appreciates both.

Campbell is seen speaking with head trainer Kevin Bastin while we see shots of Craig Reynolds.

“Craig’s a stud,” Campbell said. “Put his picture on that sign of grit down there. That’s what we should do.”

The offensive coaches are shown talking about the roster, with OC Ben Johnson asking RBs coach Duce Staley who his three will be. Antwaan Randle El asks if the tough one will be Godwin (Igwebuke) since he’s a four-core guy.

“I don’t even know if he’s in the discussion anymore,” Staley said.

Johnson then presses Staley to give him his group “if he were in front of Dan and Brad right now.”

Heck, even defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a Craig Reynolds fan. Glenn tells Campbell (the pair are alone in a meeting room) that he’s built and runs like a three-down option.

“He’s just dependable. But it’s the same deal. He does all this good stuff. We know what he is on special teams. He just grinds it out. He’s competitive. But then you’ll see these deficiencies athletically that show up. Listen, he’s good enough. But he’s not …,” Campbell said.

Glenn adds that Igwebuike is the type of player he wouldn’t want to let go. Campbell adds, “First of all, he can run like a mother(expletive).”

“You don’t want to let true speed out of the freaking building,” Glenn replies.

And here we go. Only 10 minutes in, and it feels like this episode has been loaded. It’s been loaded with the inside stuff we hope to see on “Hard Knocks.”

Igwebuike is first. He hugs Holmes and Campbell, and the head coach doesn’t waste time either: “I freaking hate it, man.” Holmes adds that it sucks. The head coach and general manager tell Igwebuike they believe he will get another chance. Igwebuike was the team’s kick returner last season after converting from safety to running back. Igwebuike said:

“I think, yeah, I do have what it takes on special teams. I think you know that. I think I do have what it takes at running back as well. Obviously appreciate the opportunity. Hopefully get the chance to put that detail to show that.”

Campbell: “I hope, I hope. I really do. I hope you get another shot. And I hope we’re not playing against you. But if you do, I hope you give us hell.”

Igwebuike adds, “you guys are hell of dudes, and I know your impact is even more than you probably know, so keep going.”

Pretty legit to see a cut player keeping it that positive with the people cutting him.

Chase Lucas is shown telling DBs coach Aubrey Pleasant, “I hope y’all don’t cut me, bro. I can’t. I can’t, bro. It’s like (expletive). I don’t want to go. I feel like I could be great. So I just keep doing what I been doing?”

The next cut features a cool visual with Lucas sitting at midfield before the scrimmage at Ford Field. He’s savoring the moment of playing inside an NFL stadium. After riding the bubble through camp and the preseason, the seventh-round rookie made the roster. He recovered an onside kick last week, then had a weird, funny moment with the official on the sideline.

Pleasant reveals that every defensive back celebration needs to start with a stiff handshake because they’re about business.

Glenn is shown saying: “there’s something about Chase Lucas. This dude loves football. I like that trait about him. He doesn’t care if he plays one play or he plays 10 plays. He just want to play.”

Lucas is shown away from the practice field, asking Pleasant if he thinks he could start in the NFL someday. The coach tells him he wouldn’t be here if they didn’t believe he had that potential.

“I’m going to do everything I can to stay here,” Lucas says.

These scenes feel fresh. We’ve seen Lucas throughout the series, but not like this. He’s been on the roster bubble fighting for his life while delivering some entertaining moments.

Campbell tells the rookie cornerback, “You might be able to do this stuff, Lucas. You might be able to.”

And there the leaping interception from camp was, with yours truly lurking in the background. That was the practice after he dropped the pick in the opener. Pleasant isn’t offering anything on Lucas’ talk about feeling like he could be great. But that he has an opportunity to take full advantage of it.

Amon-Ra St. Brown is shown out and about on cut day since he’s safe as safe can get on the roster. St. Brown and his mother, Miriam Brown, speak German as they take in the Van Gogh exhibits.

Pimpleton, the Muskegon native and former Central Michigan star, is told his status from Holmes. And they all exchange pleasantries on the way out.

We get a little more from Pimpleton, with him talking with his former high school coach Shane Fairfield and sister Kaylyn Pimpleton.

“The experience was great. It was fun. I learned a lot. Met a lot of good people. And I grew. That’s the biggest part about it. I grew through it all. I can’t really be sad about anything. I had my opportunity to play for an NFL team. Always dreamt of doing that. Played against the Steelers. That was the greatest atmosphere of football that I’ve been around in all my 17 years of football. So I’m feeling real blessed right now. Blessed is probably the best word to use.”

Obinna Eze is about to get his fate. As stated, he’s back on the practice squad. Campbell and Holmes greet him with hugs and pleasantries. Holmes asks if he wants to keep developing, then says they’ll waive him and sign him to the practice squad if he clears waivers: “I think you got rare length and feet, and you’re tough. You got a lot inside you. You’re going to be at a place where we are passionate about development. So, I think you’ll be just fine. I think this will be a positive for you.”

Campbell adds that they don’t even know where his freaking ceiling is, adding that he got better and hopes that Eze sees that.

Eze turns around on the way out, “I just appreciate you having me here. You know, man. Like I tell some of the guys in the locker room. I see what y’all are doing here, both of y’all. You know, you’re building a winning program. But also, you’re building a culture where men can be themselves. And I see that, and I appreciate that.”

Fraley tells Eze that the practice squad isn’t like a scholarship, meaning he’s not guaranteed a spot for the year and that the undrafted rookie needs to put his head down and grind each day there. A nice look at something most don’t think about: how the offensive line coach works with a practice squad tackle.

“I’m glad you’re back. I think you got talent. But I want you to be like, ‘man, don’t bring anybody else in this building because I want to be the next guy in,’” Fraley tells Eze.

We couldn’t get out of here without a little Rodrigo. Malcolm Rodriguez is shown at Rodriguez Vaquerita in Detroit. He’s there to buy a cowboy hat and boots to go with that new haircut. Rodriguez explains his background growing up in the farm life, then looks at ostrich and anteater boots at the store. He jokingly describes the difficulty of finding the right jeans to fit over his quads.

After this cowboy fashion show, the sixth-round rookie has cemented his status as a “Hard Knocks” all-star. The salesperson tells him, “a lot of people come in here, they don’t get a fit like this.”

Team president Rod Wood tells Dan Campbell that Malcolm Rodriguez’s jersey is the second-most requested one heading into the season.

“We really created a monster,” Wood says. “Behind him … 97 (Aidan Hutchinson).”

“Oh yeah? Really? I kinda like that. I like that a lot. You know what, though. To me, that kinda tells you who are fans are and that they’re buying into what we’re talking about. That’s kind of cool. They’re not into the flash. I’m telling you, he’s coming on like a damn hurricane, man,” Campbell said.

Another look at the backup quarterback situation. Blough made the initial cut. Then was waived to make room for Nate Sudfeld. Wood is getting shown in his interactions with Campbell and Holmes here, with a look inside the general manager’s office. The team president is asking Holmes if anyone had spoken to Blough yet, and if the quarterback knew his roster spot wasn’t cemented.

We then shift to Campbell addressing the team as “Hard Knocks” teases a roster bombshell:

“Just a few things. I’d say probably 95% of the roster is set. I would love to say that we’re totally done with it. But that’s not the reality. There’s a few things that are still in play if I’m being totally honest with you. Hey, Nate (Sudfeld), how you doing? We signed Nate Sudfeld here. Quarterback. I forgot you were on the redeye. You’re literally here. Welcome, man.”

And from that. We see Campbell talking to someone on the phone about losing Blough to the Vikings:

“Just saw we lost Blough. Minnesota? (‘Of course’ is said on the other end). I know. It’s like the worst. Like that’s the absolute worst that coulda happened. Just because I think he feels like this is a dead-end street here. Where there, he may still have the chance to compete as the No. 2, eventually. I just talked to him. He was – it was hard. He was shook up. I told him, ‘Hey, man. I get it. I understand.’”

Campbell then tells co-director of player engagement Jessica Gray that “if it doesn’t hurt, then it’s time to get out of this business” regarding cut day.

Eminem’s music plays over some practice clips, and then the man himself makes an appearance. Goff asks Glenn, “you see Slim over there? Shady.”

“He might be on my list, of like holy (expletive),” Goff said.

We saw clips teasing this appearance last week. The rapper is joking around for the cameras, then adds, “if one of these dudes hit me, I might (expletive) die.” So it’s cool to see him interact with some coaching staff and players.

Tracy Walker is featured asking for photos with Eminem like a fan. And then Goff gets his moment too.

Eminem is shown the big meeting room: “Ain’t this the one I saw Aidan doing the ‘Bille Jean’ (expletive)? Incredible. That (expletive) was funny. Funny as (expletive).”

Looks like Slim also provided Mom’s Spaghetti to the team too.

Wasn’t expecting to see Kalil Pimpleton’s trip to work out for the New York Giants. Good on “Hard Knocks” for following his path. We see the Muskegon native getting his contract and being told, “we need that speed.” And getting some love for bouncing back after dropping a couple of balls at his tryout.

And then, bam, the jarring image of David Blough in Vikings gear and the No. 11.

“For me, it’s about proving to myself that every single day I can keep getting better, being part of an organization that’s going to allow me to compete. Being able to go to a new organization and see a new culture. Be around a new group of guys,” Blough said. “Be a part of building something special with coach (Kevin) O’Connell. Something that was enticing to me and I really am looking forward to getting this thing going, learning as best I can and being a part of it.”

The last day with the “Hard Knocks” crew around was the Friday ahead of the three-day weekend. Players got those days off, so the cameras took off. Another look at Glenn and Staley doing what they do every day. The up-downs for new players are shown, with big Benito Jones struggling. Jones told reporters that day he doesn’t think he had down up-downs since high school or college.

We’re in the homestretch. Campbell is captured addressing the team ahead of the weekend. The head coach then goes into a story about rookie Penei Sewell mother(expletive) him after taking him out due to a rep count: “I pull him out because of his deal. And he starts mother(expletive) me. A rookie, just mother(expletive) me. There was like a tear in my eye, man. Made me so proud. The kid did not want to come out.”

Some rookies are shown detailing their training camp experiences. That leads to Rodriguez talking about people shouting “Rodrigo” at him everywhere he goes.

“The 2022 Detroit Lions will compete, every game. Because that’s who we are. And we’re a gritty team. And we’re built that way,” Glenn said.

“The 2022 Detroit Lions will put the NFL on notice. You want to reap things from this game. And the ultimate thing you can reap from it is a championship. And the way to get closer to a championship is a playoff berth,” linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said.

And after a long pause of contemplation and deep sighs while playing with his goatee, Campbell ends with:

“Number of ways I can go with that. The 2022 Detroit Lions will be the team that can and will.”

ALLEN PARK -- The first week of the regular season is here, which means it’s time for the final episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” featuring the Detroit Lions.

This post will have live updates once the episode is available, so kick back and watch “Hard Knocks” with us at 10 p.m. Tuesday or whenever you’re ready on HBO or HBO Max. We’ll offer breakdowns and analysis as the episode unfolds.. We’ll post the play-by-play above this text starting at 10 p.m., as a warning to those avoiding spoilers.

To get ready for the final episode, see below for our recap, analysis and podcast breakdown out of last week’s:

‘Hard Knocks’ captures player-led practice, tense moments leading into cut day: Live updates recap

‘Hard Knocks’ analysis: Good stuff from Detroit Lions cut week, but not perfect either

Dungeon of Doom ‘Hard Knocks’ recap: The good and the bad from Detroit Lions cut week

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