From the very second Dan Campbell took the reins of the Detroit Lions, the message became pretty clear: Do your job and be accountable. There's no room for excuses or pats on the back, only hard work.
Notably, new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is honoring that example. That's why he had no sympathy for cornerback Terrion Arnold or any other player dealing with an injury in the season opener. If they're out there, they must compete.
Arnold suffered a groin injury during the season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers and missed most of the third quarter. He claimed that the injury happened on the Packers' season drive, and while he insisted it didn't affect his play, Sheppard wasn't having any of it.
“If you’re injured, come out of the game. We’re not making any excuses,” Detroit's DC said on Thursday, per MLive's Kory Woods. “No, no, no -- we’re not making any excuses. Just like if I have a play call I shouldn’t have called, that’s on me. A player has a job to do; that’s on them. We all earn our paycheck. There won’t be any free rides this year. We all come to the stadium with a job to do. Do your job. Point blank period.”
DC Kelvin Sheppard Puts Lions on Notice with 'No Excuses' Mindset
Arnold didn't look good in consecutive plays. First, Jordan Love found Romeo Doubs for a 48-yard gain. Then, on the following play, Jayden Reed beat Arnold for a 17-yard touchdown.
The second-year cornerback, who's usually known for his quick first step, looked sluggish and failed to get ahead of Reed on that route, presumably for the injury. Even so, Sheppard was quick to point out that it wasn't the first time that Arnold had been beaten in a similar play:
“By learning from previous mistakes,” Sheppard said. “You (reporters) have been around here -- we got the exact same play at San Francisco last year. Turn it on to (Ricky) Pearsall. Learn from your mistakes, you’re a professional.”
Terrion Arnold Shoulders Blame for Week 1 Blunders
At least, Arnold appreciates the tough love. As a former Alabama player, he's pretty used to being coached hard and knows that he has to do his job regardless of the situation. When asked about whether the injury held him back, he didn't want to make up any excuses:
"One thing about me, if I’m out there, I’m out there. I never sit up there and say, ‘man, I wish I could have made that play, but my groin.’ Nah. I’m out there, I’m out there, and own it. It’s one of those things where you get back to the drawing board, and I got to get with the trainer."Terrion Arnold
Arnold is one of the building blocks of the secondary, but with a big talent comes even bigger responsibilities. As such, he's going to be held to a high standard, and there will be no preferential treatment on this team.
He has been a full participant in practice this week. Barring a setback, he's fully expected to be out there for Sunday's divisional matchup with the Chicago Bears. And if he's healthy enough to play, he has to deliver.