The Detroit Lions’ secondary has been hit hard by the injury bug over the last couple of weeks, as D.J. Reed was placed on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, and Terrion Arnold is battling a shoulder injury. While the injury issues those two are battling are commanding the majority of the headlines, fans can’t forget about Khalil Dorsey, who sustained a wrist injury.
There have been conflicting reports on the severity of Arnold’s injury and how long he could be out. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported on Tuesday morning that the second-year CB’s shoulder injury is likely a season-ender.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported hours later that Arnold received a second opinion on his shoulder and the injury isn’t as bad as feared. Schefter added that Arnold could return “sooner than expected.”
For the Lions, fans hope that’s the case, as their cornerback depth is being taxed right now, and the upcoming schedule won’t be so forgiving. Luckily, Detroit has Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, and Avonte Maddox, but that won’t stop teams from going after them in the passing game.
Lions Face Most Grueling Stretch of 2025 Season Without Starting CBs
Over the next five games, the Lions are scheduled to play the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Philadelphia Eagles.
That is not an easy stretch of games, as Detroit’s cornerbacks will be tasked with trying to slow down wide receivers such as Xavier Worthy, Emeka Egbuka, Justin Jefferson, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith.
It will truly be a trial by fire situation for the Lions' cornerback group, who will hope that the front seven can apply pressure to the opposing team’s QB so they don’t have to cover receivers down the field for an extended period.
Detroit received a brief taste of this in last week’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have one of the better WR duos in the league in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase had the better day, with six receptions (10 targets) for 110 yards and two touchdowns, but Higgins still managed to reach the end zone on one of his three receptions.
Robertson allowed seven completions (11 targets) for 89 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s win, while Ya-Sin allowed four completions (six targets) for 39 yards and a touchdown. Simply put, that isn't a winning combination for any secondary, let alone one as banged up as Detroit's, and these two know it.
The key for Lions CBs during this upcoming stretch of games will be trying not to give up the big play, or at the very least, limit them. This will be tough, especially when facing the Chiefs in Week 6, who have a lot of speed at wide receiver.
If there’s a silver lining for the Lions, it's that Reed should hopefully be back in the near future. The hope from those inside the building is for Detroit to go, at least 3-2, over this stretch. Every win will be important as the Green Bay Packers face a much easier schedule during this same stretch, playing the likes of the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, and Carolina Panthers in the coming weeks
The Packers could easily go 3-0 during that three-game window, pushing their record to 5-1-1. That said, it will be interesting to see how things play out as the Lions hope their CB depth can withstand the injuries against some of the better teams in the NFL.