The Lions are another step closer to returning another player from injured reserve.
The Detroit Lions may have one more player returning from injury before their playoff run begins. On Thursday, the Lions designated rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw to return from injury, opening up his 21-day evaluation clock. The Lions are currently on a bye week, but coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday that they planned on practicing Thursday, and it appears Rakestraw returned to action then.
Rakestraw, the Lions’ second-round pick this year, was placed on injured reserve on November 23 after suffering a hamstring injury. It’s been a quiet rookie season for Rakestraw, as he’s dealt with multiple injuries and hasn’t been able to break into the Lions’ starting lineup. He’s played in just eight games this season, participating in 46 defensive snaps and 95 on special teams.
His return to the lineup could be very timely. The Lions are pretty shorthanded at cornerback right now. Carlton Davis is on injured reserve and isn’t expected to return this season with a broken jaw. Emmanuel Moseley was just placed on the Non-Football Illness list last week and will miss the next three weeks at a minimum. And in the Lions’ regular-season finale, rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold suffered a foot injury—although he is considered day-to-day and could play in Detroit’s next game.
Regardless, having Rakestraw back for a playoff run will be a nice boost to the Lions’ depth. Against the Vikings, the Lions were forced to elevate Stantley Thomas-Oliver—a defender who has been with the team for just a few weeks—from the practice squad.
