The Detroit Lions have a cornerback problem. Unfortunately, it’s not the good kind of problem where there are too many players and not enough roster spots; rather, the Lions are already thin on cornerbacks, and they may soon be down one more if his play doesn’t pick up over the next couple of weeks.
Ennis Rakestraw has been on the roster bubble during training camp and into the first preseason game and he nearly saw his 53-man hopes fly right out the window against the Bengals.
Not only was Rakestraw the team’s lowest-rated player on Thursday night per Pro Football Focus, but he also suffered an injury that nearly derailed his Lions career.
Fortunately, his injury is more of a contusion and is not expected to be anything major, according to head coach Dan Campbell.
If Rakestraw’s injury was major and he was forced to miss a game, the roster spot that’s already shaky would be taken from him. Nick Whiteside’s surge this preseason has already put Rakestraw on the roster bubble, so an injury would have just crushed any chance that he may have had to make the 53-man roster in a couple of weeks.
Rakestraw already has a ton of ground to make up after a slow start to his preseason and inconsistent play, mixed with injuries seemingly every time he suits up. He can’t afford another setback, or he’ll find himself on the practice squad hoping for an NFL call-up.
Ennis Rakestraw should feel a sense of urgency
The latest minor injury just felt like a bad omen for Rakestraw’s roster chances because it feels like he can never stay healthy. That obviously isn’t the best resume for making a roster, even on a team that desperately needs cornerbacks.
Terrion Arnold’s downfall and departure put a damper on the position in the offseason, and Dan Campbell probably hoped that it would act like a wake-up call for a guy like Rakestraw.
Whiteside’s emergence also means that Rakestraw should feel some pressure and a sense of urgency. His roster spot feels like it’s in such doubt that he’ll need a near-perfect end to the preseason to win his spot back.
Rakestraw is holding onto that roster spot by a thread and his health may be the biggest obstacle.
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