After two injury-riddled seasons, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has clearly set the expectations for Jeff Okudah in 2022.
If the best ability is availability, Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has failed through his first two NFL seasons. After struggling through injuries and missing seven games as a rookie in 2020, a torn Achilles in Week 1 last year sidelined him for the season.
Via his own social media posts and all other indications from the team, Okudah has made excellent progress from that major injury without setbacks. The latest and best indication of that is his not being placed on the PUP list for the start of training camp this week.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was the featured guest on the Adam Schefter Podcast for a new episode that debuted Monday. Within a conversation that’s worth a full listen, he talked about Okudah.
Aaron Glenn clearly sets expectations for Jeff Okudah
Here’s what Glenn had to say about Okudah.
"We have to get this injury bug off him so he can end up playing for us so we can see exactly what we got,”“The thing is, we think we know what we got, but we have to be able to see it. But I’ll tell you, I give this player credit for busting his ass in the offseason and trying to get exactly where he needs to get so he can be in the plans for us. So I’m looking forward to him having a really good camp, just like he did last year, but I’m looking forward to him being on the field 17 games for us this year (and) going to the playoffs.”"
Schefter had the easy and expected follow up about whether it’s a realistic goal to expect Okudah to play all 17 games this year. Glenn had an answer for that
"That’s exactly the expectations for that player,” Glenn said. “That’s exactly the expectations, and he knows that. We challenge him to that, and the thing about him, he is going to accept that challenge.”"
Okudah is entering a critical season in his career. The first step toward him finally emerging as a key factor in the Lions’ secondary is health, and barring something unforeseen he’ll be ready to go with few (if any) restrictions for Week 1.