Just a week after losing former no. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah for the season, the Detroit Lions are expected to be without another young corner for some time.
Rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu, who started in Week Two after the injury to Okudah, suffered what is being described by head coach Dan Campbell as a serious leg injury in Monday night’s 35-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Melifonwu was in coverage with star receiver Davante Adams on a deep route when he came up limping and eventually collapsed on the field and waited for the training staff to attend to his left thigh.
Tuesday Campbell referred to the injury as ‘ a bad one’ and mentioned the team would be without the services of their 2021 third-round selection for quite some time.
The Detroit Lions lack depth at the cornerback position as injuries continue to mount.
After losing Okudah for the season with a ruptured Achilles, the Detroit Lions could not afford another injury at the position.
After losing Melifonwu Monday night, the Lions turned to converted safety and special teamer Bobby Price along with Jerry Jacobs; not exactly household names.
The Detroit Lions are likely sifting through the leagues’ top available free agent corners. As excited as some folks would get by seeing a prominent name like Richard Sherman atop the list, Detroit will likely look to lesser-known names to fill in for the remainder of the season.
Expect the organization to consider adding veteran corner Quinton Dunbar who had been with the Lions briefly this summer before stepping away from football to deal with a personal matter. Dunbar’s immediate future remains up in the air, but if he wishes to play in 2021, the Detroit Lions certainly have a need for his services.
The Detroit Lions may also elevate corner Nickell Robey-Coleman or Daryl Worley from the practice squad ahead of the team’s Week Three date with the Baltimore Ravens.