In most circumstances, the immediate reaction after a 34-10 victory would be overwhelmingly positive. The Detroit Lions are standing tall atop the NFC North with a 3-1 record after defeating the Cleveland Browns in decisive fashion. The defense held the Browns to under 200 passing yards while racking up multiple sacks and interceptions. The offense took advantage of great field position to dominate the Browns’ defense. Even the special teams unit came alive to spring a punt return touchdown.
Unfortunately, one thought looms large: Is the Lions’ secondary depth already being tested?
Before the season started, the Lions lost Dan Jackson and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. to season-ending injuries. However, the Lions seemed capable of weathering the storm. The cornerback trio of Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Amik Robertson was a solid starting core. The starting safeties of Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are elite. Elsewhere, the depth chart seemed well-rounded with some corner/safety hybrids in Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya-Sin. Sprinkle in some special teamers, and it looked like a great room to have.
The depth chart looks much different without Arnold and Reed, however.
The exact status of the two starting cornerbacks is up in the air as of Monday morning, but the initial prognosis is mixed. Arnold, who exited the game with a shoulder injury, is not suspected to have a major injury, but his availability for next week is unclear. The outlook for Reed, however, is less favorable, as the cornerback is likely to miss next week at a minimum, per Dan Campbell.
The medical test could yield an unexpected positive result for either cornerback, but the Lions are in a tough situation regardless, with the Cincinnati Bengals on deck. If the Lions are without their top two corners against Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, it could be a rough outing for the reserves, even without Joe Burrow at quarterback.
Are the Lions built to handle a prolonged absence from either cornerback? Can the Lions survive a week or two if both Arnold and Reed miss time?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
My answer: I am somewhat concerned.
An absence for Reed seems like a probable outcome given the initial thoughts from the coaching staff. Without him, the Lions are down a much-needed CB1. Reed had a poor debut against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, but since then, he has been mostly superb. Aside from a pair of first downs allowed, Reed was having a great game against the Browns. He recorded a textbook pass breakup, then followed it up with an acrobatic diving interception that he nearly took to the house.
Losing Arnold would be another blow to the Lions, albeit a lesser one than losing Reed. Whereas Reed bounced back from a rough Week 1, Arnold has yet to find his form all season. Too many yards allowed, too many catches allowed, and too many penalties have been the story for Arnold thus far. While Arnold has been hung out to dry on a few occasions (see last week’s touchdown by Rashod Bateman), he has had his fair share of struggles. He had a pair of holding penalties against the Browns that overshadowed an otherwise fine outing.
I believe that the Lions are still in a decent spot with Arnold and Robertson as starting cornerbacks if the former is healthy enough, but the team can ill-afford any further injuries. The Lions almost had a worst-case scenario when Joseph left the game with an injury, forcing Maddox into his role. Thankfully, the All-Pro safety returned, but it still paints a picture of how precarious the depth can be—Detroit was dangerously close to trotting out Branch and a preseason secondary.
I have more faith in Ya-Sin and Maddox than I did in the reserves of previous years, yet establishing chemistry between a starting lineup is not something that comes easily. Worse yet, an injury to either Ya-Sin or Maddox would not only hurt the cornerback depth but also the safety depth. There lies the problem with having backups play multiple positions: they can only play one at a time.
I think that the Lions can play well without Arnold or Reed. I think the Lions can survive short-term without Arnold and Reed. I think if either injury is serious enough and/or more injuries arise, my level of concern will grow drastically.
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