Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell will miss this weekend’s rookie minicamp for personal reasons.

Campbell is expected back with the team later this month.

The Lions have three days of minicamp practice today-Sunday at their Allen Park practice facility for rookie draft picks, undrafted free agents and select first-year and tryout players.

Several Lions rookies said during the draft they connected with Campbell during their pre-draft visit to Detroit and were excited to play for him this fall.

“Just walking down the hallway, seeing all the historical figures on the wall and seeing the amazing facility, but most importantly, to me, was meeting head coach Dan Campbell and the GM,” offensive lineman Gio Manu said. “Both of them are really good guys. I relate to their work ethic and all that. And I loved my visit overall and I remember leaving, I told myself, ‘I felt at home here and I would not mind at all if these guys took a chance on me.’ And I so happen to be here now, so it was great.”

The Lions made six picks in last month’s draft. They traded up for Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold in Round 1, grabbed Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in Round 2 and added Manu, running back Sione Vaki, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo and offensive guard Christian Mahogany on Day 3.

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Vaki compared Campbell to his coach at Utah, Kyle Whittingham, and said both have similar standards “as far as just putting our head down and working.” And Rakestraw said his interactions with Campbell made the Lions one of his favorite pre-draft visits.

“I liked how Coach is, Coach Campbell, his philosophy and the coordinator’s philosophy about physicality,” Rakestraw said. “I feel like that’s what I bring, so I felt like it was a great fit.”

After rookie minicamp, where players attend meetings and practice without pads, the Lions have nine Organized Team Activity practices May 21-23, 29-31 and June 10-12, and a three-day mandatory minicamp June 4-6.

Vaki deal done

Vaki finalized his four-year rookie contract and is expected to sign with the Lions before Friday’s first practice.

The 132nd overall pick in the draft, Vaki deal is worth a slotted value of $4.67 million, according to Spotrac.

Historically, the Lions have signed most of their draft class to contracts before the start of rookie minicamp. All rookie deals are slotted under the current collective bargaining agreement, though some contracts take longer to finalize because of negotiations over guaranteed money.

Vaki played safety and running back in his two seasons at Utah but will start his NFL career on offense and projects as a key special teams player this fall. He had 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

PAO restaurant in downtown Detroit, noted for its Pan-Asian cuisine, recently received huge accolades for its interior design and space.

For People magazine’s 50th anniversary and its 2024 Beautiful Issue, the editors at OpenTable and People named “The 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America.” PAO landed at No. 22 on the list.

“Original details from the 1920s-era Detroit building combine with a new mezzanine and glass garage-style doors,” OpenTable said of PAO.

The collaboration sought out and chose the beautiful restaurants in each state noting them for many design aspects.

“These super-stylish stunners deliver unforgettable dining experiences,” according to People magazine.

“Located in the historic Michigan Oriental Theater, PAO Detroit has always been a special project for our team,” said Joe Barbat, chairman and CEO of Barbat Holdings, PAO’s owner. “This accolade not only highlights the restaurant’s beauty but also enhances the storied legacy of this iconic building in downtown Detroit.”

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PAO’s menu features a variety of small and large plate items such as Pao Pao shrimp, tuna carpaccio and lo mein mein noodles.  More recently, PAO added a six-course rotating tasting menu that’s offered every Wednesday featuring bluefin tuna tacos, sesame chicken dumplings, tuna carpaccio and shoyu lamb chops.  Two menu options are offered at $50 and $65 per person. Also on Wednesday is PAO’s “Sip & Share” with half off small plate appetizers and signature cocktails from 5-11 p.m.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.