The Detroit Lions were given a scare when No. 1 cornerback D.J. Reed was carted off the field during Sunday's blowout win over the Cleveland Browns. The $48 million free agent signing suffered an apparent hamstring injury in the fourth quarter and was kept out for the remainder of the contest. Considering how head coach Dan Campbell almost immediately said he can't see Reed playing next Sunday," Lions fans' concerns are valid.
Official testing hasn't been done on Reed's shoulder just yet, meaning the jury is still out regarding how much time he'll miss, whether it's one game or more. Fortunately, the Lions defender's latest social media posting hints that good news is on the horizon.
"This the life I prayed for," Reed wrote on X after the game, along with pictures from before and during Sunday's game. The 28-year-old defensive back also included praying and heart emojis, further adding to the post's positive vibes.
Lions CB DJ Reed Shares Positive Post After Week 4 Injury
Hopefully, Reed's post is a sign of good news to come. The ex-Kansas State Wildcat is someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and isn't afraid to speak up when something is wrong. If he were worried about his injury potentially being a long-term situation, chances are he would've hinted as much.
Instead, Reed is sending Lions fans into Week 5 with the hope that he'll be back sooner rather than later. He had big shoes to fill, replacing Carlton Davis III, when he signed his three-year contract in March, and he's successfully been living up to the pressure so far.
Before Week 4, Reed was playing like the Lions' CB1, allowing only eight catches on 11 targets for 88 receiving yards without a touchdown. His 60.4 Pro Football Focus coverage grade is far from his best effort; however, it's worth noting that he did tally a mark of 78.9 against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, and he was even sitting at a 70.4 this weekend until he was carted away.
It took some time, but Reed's performances are trending in the right direction, leaving time to tell if he'll pick up from where he left off whenever he returns. The Lions also lost fellow CB Terrion Arnold to a shoulder injury on Sunday, meaning the rest of the team's corners must step up to ensure that the secondary doesn't completely implode.
Lions fans should have a better idea of Reed's situation sooner rather than later. If an injured reserve stint is in his future, don't be surprised if Detroit general manager Brad Holmes seeks out cornerback help before the Nov. 5 trade deadline.