Detroit Lions are understandably frustrated with the number of injuries the team has been dealing with at training camp once again. Even though the coaching staff has changed its approach to camp and practices have been less physical and intense compared to previous seasons, injuries are inevitable.
That is also why the Lions entered training camp with a very deep roster. Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes both talked about how happy they were with the depth on the team across the board. This is when that depth and talent come into play. It has resulted in intense training camp competitions and positional battles.
One of those is taking place in the cornerback room. After the unexpected shakeup due to Terrion Arnold's departure, the Lions had to scramble to find a new starter opposite DJ Reed.
Who will start as CB2 remains to be seen, but the Lions have seen solid camp performances from the cornerback room. So much so that it has officially put Ennis Rakestraw on thin ice.
Ennis Rakestraw is running out of time to save his job in Detroit
Nick Whiteside has been one of the bright spots of camp. He has been making impressive plays on most days, establishing himself as a surefire 53-man roster player. He has earned the praise of Campbell on various occasions, and he could even have a chance to start.
The inside track to start, however, belongs to Rock Ya-Sin. He has looked good all camp, following a solid first season in Detroit. If we assume that both Ya-Sin and Whiteside are locks to make the roster, it leaves little room for Rakestraw.
The Lions had five cornerbacks on the 53-man roster when they announced it last season. If they end up bringing in five CBs again to the final roster, that leaves two spots.
Keith Abney, the fifth-round pick, should be the favorite to earn one of those spots. Khalil Dorsey, who has been a key special-teamer, should get a spot purely based on his special-team impact.
We haven't even mentioned Roger McCreary, who may be the first name up at the nickel. Christian Izien, Avonte Maddox, and Abney all have a chance to earn most of those reps in the slot, as well. However, if McCreary is the top slot option for the Lions, it's difficult to see how Rakestraw makes the roster.
Plus, the Lions aren't exactly enamored with Rakestraw's training camp performance so far. On Monday, HC Campbell called Rakestraw's camp "up and down" and said that the former second-round pick had to "string together some good days," per team insider Brad Galli.
It's not like Rakestraw showed much in his first two seasons in Detroit. Sure, the injuries have been a huge part of the story there, but the Lions can't really afford to be patient with Rakestraw.
There is also the possibility that the Lions sign Trevon Diggs or another veteran cornerback. Diggs worked out in Detroit over the weekend, and Campbell called the potential signing an "ongoing process."
If that comes to fruition, things may start to look even bleaker for Rakestraw. Time is running out for the 24-year-old defender, and the preseason games may be his last chance to save his Lions future.
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