There was a certain feeling that coming out of Week 4, the Detroit Lions would likely look a bit different in the defensive backfield. Amik Robertson was beginning to eat into Terrion Arnold’s reps amid his early-season struggles, and if trends continue, Robertson could find himself positioned to take a full-time role.
It appears that will be the case for Robertson, but certainly not by the means he expected. Arnold played plenty early in the contest, drawing a noticeable red-zone holding call in the process. But he left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return.
Later, D.J. Reed was carted off the field with a hamstring injury.
Though both were listed as questionable to return, the game was well in hand for Detroit and neither returned to the field for the defense.
Amik Robertson’s opportunity with Detroit Lions comes at a cost
While neither Arnold’s nor Reed’s injuries have been officially reported as serious enough for them to miss extended time, Reed being carted off the field isn’t a positive sign for his availability next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
As a result, the Lions could be turning to Robertson more as expected, but for entirely different reasons.
Against Cleveland, Robertson was mostly reliable in coverage. He had dropped a would-be interception in the third quarter, though that came after he allowed a 35-yard reception by rookie Isaiah Bond.
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Robinson has been a promising player since his days with the Las Vegas Raiders, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2020, but he’s struggled to crack the starting lineup in Las Vegas and Detroit. In his fifth season, Robertson has started just 25 games in 73 appearances, starting four last year.
With the Bengals up next, there will certainly be extra pressure on Robertson, even if Arnold and/or Reed are able to suit up. Despite the Bengals’ overall issues, Joe Burrow’s absence topping that list, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins remain one of the most lethal receiving duos in the entire league.
It may not be how Robertson or Lions fans expected him to get his shot with the starting defense, but all signs are pointing toward his number being called next week, and it’ll be up to him to answer the call against a dangerous offense on the road.