The Detroit Lions have been hit hard in recent weeks with injuries to their secondary, leading one analyst to suggest the team may need to seek veteran help as they head into the playoffs.
The Lions recently placed cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Khalil Dorsey on injured reserve, further depleting an already thin secondary. While there are internal options available to step in, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder recommended the Lions consider adding more depth through free agency.
Lions May Seek Veteran Help Despite holding the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Lions cannot afford to relax in the final two weeks of the season. Their upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings could determine whether they secure a playoff bye or are forced into the wild-card round.
Holder proposed that the Lions look into signing a seasoned cornerback to help strengthen their secondary for the stretch run and playoffs. He suggested potential targets like Patrick Peterson and Xavien Howard. Peterson, who spent the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, started 16 games and had 42 tackles with 11 passes defensed. The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro previously played for the Vikings, giving Lions head coach Dan Campbell familiarity with his skillset.
Internal Options to Strengthen Defense The Lions also have some in-house solutions to bolster their secondary. Tim Twentyman from the team’s official site noted that Campbell mentioned veteran cornerback Emmanuel Moseley could see an expanded role, despite being a healthy scratch recently. Additionally, versatile defensive back Brian Branch could be moved from safety to cornerback to provide more options, while Amik Robertson could also slide outside.
Another potential addition is Ifeatu Melifonwu, who is expected to begin practicing soon. Campbell will assess his readiness before making any decisions regarding his return to action, which could include taking on various roles in the defense.
Potential Free-Agent Return USA Today’s Jeff Risdon also suggested the Lions could bring back Jerry Jacobs, a key contributor during last year’s NFC Championship run. Jacobs, who started 29 games for the Lions over three seasons, has been a free agent this season and has worked out for teams, including the Broncos. His familiarity with the defensive system and solid run support make him an intriguing option for Detroit.
