The Detroit Lions are on a mission to prove that losing both their offensive and defensive coordinators won’t knock them off course in their hunt for a Super Bowl.
In 2022, Detroit won 12 games and made it to the NFC Championship before falling to the 49ers. In 2023, they took another step forward—finishing with 15 wins, securing a first-round playoff bye, and raising expectations even higher. Unfortunately, that postseason run ended early, with a disappointing loss in their first game.
Now, they face an even tougher road. They’ll have to overcome not just coaching turnover, but a rash of injuries to key contributors.
The defensive side of the ball, in particular, is already taking hits.
Alim McNeil, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Josh Paschal all started training camp on the PUP list and could miss significant time. Levi Onwuzurike is already done for the season with a torn ACL. That leaves Detroit’s defense thin—and in need of answers.
One unit that’s expected to carry the load is the secondary. Thankfully, Detroit is stacked at the top.
The safety duo of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph is one of the league’s best. They’ll be leaned on heavily to keep things steady on the back end. Meanwhile, the Lions went out and signed cornerback D.J. Reed, one of the biggest free agent acquisitions of the offseason.
Reed joins Amik Robertson and 2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold to form what should be a strong top three at corner. Throw in 2024 second-rounder Ennis Rakestraw Jr., and you have four guys the team feels good about.
Add in Avonte Maddox—who can play safety or slide into the slot—and the Lions’ cornerback room suddenly looks crowded.
And that’s not great news for Khalil Dorsey.
Khalil Dorsey's Time in Detroit May Come to an End Soon
Dorsey has carved out a role on special teams over the last two seasons in Detroit, appearing in 27 games and stepping in for occasional snaps on defense when needed. But as camp wears on, his status for 2025 is becoming less certain.
He suffered a gruesome leg injury in December of last season and is still working his way back. He started training camp on the PUP list and hasn’t suited up since.
The longer he’s sidelined, the more his roster spot is in jeopardy. Dorsey doesn’t just need to return soon—he needs to show he’s worth keeping over someone like Rock Ya-Sin or versatile safety Erick Hallett, both of whom offer more value on defense.
Detroit already knows who its starters are in the secondary. Health permitting, those guys will take nearly all the snaps. And if the top group stays intact, depth becomes less of a priority—and Dorsey becomes more expendable.
If Dorsey can’t get back on the field soon, this could quietly be his final run with the Lions. Even if he returns before the preseason wraps up, he’ll be fighting an uphill battle to stick around.