The Detroit Lions entered Week 5 with significant injury concerns in the secondary. Despite missing practices during the week, cornerbacks Kerby Joseph and Terrion Arnold were able to suit up to give the Lions a boost for Sunday's clash with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the end, D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey were the only defensive backs who ended up missing Week 5's win.
This understandably put a lot of pressure on Terrion Arnold, who, along with Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, and newly-signed Tre Flowers, was only one of four cornerbacks on the active roster. Thanks to a standout performance by the second-year defender, the Lions' defense didn't miss a beat. In fact, they only started to struggle in coverage against the Bengals' elite wide receivers once Arnold left the game after seemingly re-aggravating his shoulder injury (h/t @JimmyLiaoMD).
Terrion Arnold Suffers Unfortunate Injury Amid Breakout Game
Before exiting the game early, Arnold had only allowed 3-of-6 for 28 yards and a 63.2 passer rating. Even though the 22-year-old continued his trend of frustrating penalties with a bad defensive holding in what seemed like an Aidan Hutchinson safety in the second quarter, Arnold immediately followed that up with two pass breakups in the ensuing two plays. He could have had an interception that was eventually credited to Joseph, showing his playmaking potential.
After the contest, the Lions CB playfully apologized to Arnold for stealing his pick.
"My bad, bro. I seen the ball, and you know how I get," Joseph said, per A to Z Sports' Mike Payton. "Shout out to T, I felt like he played a great game... I know he had a little injury, but we're all gonna bounce back."
Arnold's breakout game, however, was quickly overshadowed by his early exit. This is the second straight game that the former Alabama star has left early with a shoulder injury. Considering how short-handed the Lions already are on the secondary, this is the last thing defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and head coach Dan Campbell wanted.
To make matters even worse, Ya-Sin also suffered an injury during the game. The veteran cornerback limped off in the fourth quarter, right before Ja'Marr Chase scored a 64-yard touchdown at the expense of Amik Robertson. Ya-Sin briefly returned but left again with trainers with a couple of minutes left in the game. This gave additional snaps to Tre Flowers.
This means that the secondary injuries will once again be the main topic of concern heading into next week's showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. If Arnold can suit up, the Lions will have to rely on him to step up once again. He will continue to commit frustrating penalties and make potentially costly mistakes, but his upside, as demonstrated by his big plays on Sunday, forces the Lions to keep trusting him.