Former Detroit Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley is still sitting in free agency as OTAs wrap up across the league and mandatory minicamp is on the horizon. Moseley isn’t the only veteran cornerback still available, as guys like Stephon Gilmore, Rasul Douglas, and James Bradberry are searching for their next opportunity.
Moseley had a rough two seasons in Detroit marred by injury, which likely plays a part in him not being signed yet. However, a potential landing spot for the ex-Lion might’ve just opened up to start this month.
On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the cornerback Ronald Darby informed the Houston Texans that he would be retiring from the NFL. Houston signed Darby to a one-year deal earlier this offseason.
CB Emmanuel Moseley May Finally Get Another Chance
With Darby hanging up the cleats, the Texans could use a veteran defender at the CB3 spot on the outside behind the likes of Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Right now, Houston has Tremon Smith and rookie Jaylin Smith.
While the Texans are likely excited about the upside of Smith, they want to have a cornerback with experience to compete with Tremon Smith. The former Lion could be the perfect low-risk, high-reward option for Houston. It could also allow Moseley to rebuild some of his value at the same time.
Moseley was developing into one of the more underrated cornerbacks in the league after his play with the San Francisco 49ers. However, the 5-foot-11 defensive back struggled with the injury bug.
In his final year with the 49ers, Moseley played in five games before being placed on injured reserve with a grade 3 torn ACL in his left knee. Despite coming off a torn ACL, the Lions signed him to a one-year, $6 million deal.
Moseley started the 2023 season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, but eventually made his debut in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. The veteran defender only played two snaps before suffering another torn ACL, but in his right knee.
Moseley was placed again on injured reserve, ending his 2023 season. The Lions re-signed the veteran to a one-year, $2.875 million deal, hoping he could play sometime in 2024. He made his 2024 debut in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts, playing 15 special-teams snaps.
The veteran defensive back was inactive for the next three games, but appeared in the Lions’ Week 16 matchup against the Chicago Bears, playing 14 special-teams snaps.
Even though Moseley didn’t play at all on defense last season in the Motor City, it was good to see him back on the field. The veteran ended his Lions’ tenure on the NFI list in January.
We’ll see if the Texans will give him a call to replace Darby in their secondary, or if another team wants to bring him in. At this point in his career, he likely wants an opportunity to prove that the injuries are behind him.