Injury Setbacks for Lions’ Cornerbacks
The Detroit Lions faced a tough challenge in their Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, as injuries struck their secondary. A pair of starting cornerbacks were forced to leave the game, with D.J. Reed’s injury raising particular alarm. Reed suffered a hamstring injury during the contest, and the situation appeared dire when medical personnel brought out the cart for assistance. Following the game, head coach Dan Campbell shared his concerns regarding Reed’s condition.
Reed’s Injury Update
Despite the grim initial assessment, the news surrounding Reed’s injury is not as catastrophic as it could have been. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that while Reed is a candidate for injured reserve, he will not require surgery. This is a relief for the Lions, as surgery could have extended his recovery time significantly. If Reed is placed on injured reserve, he would be sidelined for at least four games. However, the silver lining is that he has avoided a season-ending injury.
Arnold’s Situation
As for the other cornerback, Arnold, Rapoport indicated that he “should be OK,” which provides a glimmer of hope for the Lions. Campbell addressed the situation post-game, saying, “We all saw Reed’s injury. I don’t know what that’s going to be or how long. Certainly, I cannot imagine him playing next week at a minimum until we get more tests done.” He expressed more optimism about Arnold, suggesting his injury is “not as significant” as Reed’s.
Opportunity for Amik Robertson
With Reed’s absence looming, there is an opportunity for Amik Robertson to step into a more prominent role on the field. The Lions had aimed to increase Robertson’s involvement, and now he will likely see significant playing time. Additionally, Khalil Dorsey and Rock Ya-Sin are also in line to contribute more extensively on defense, especially if Arnold needs to miss time.
The Lions will need to navigate these injuries carefully as they prepare for the coming weeks, relying on their depth and strategic adjustments to maintain their defensive strength.
