Dan Campbell says Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley will play this season

Amid some other injuries, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley has probably been "out of sight out of mind" for Detroit Lions' fans. He suffered a torn pectoral during joint practices with the New York Giants in early August, and has been on IR ever since with the idea he could return before the season is over.

On Wednesday head coach Dan Campbell was asked for an update on Moseley, and if there was any chance he could return before the season is over. Moseley was spotted on the Lions' sideline during last Sunday's game against the Vikings, which prompted the inquiry.

"Yeah, there is (still a chance he returns this year), and that was really the first week he’s traveled with us,” Campbell said.” He wanted to go, and we were all for it. I can’t tell you how close, but yeah, we’re going to get him back. It’s just a matter of, when is that? He’s doing pretty good. He’s doing pretty good, he’s really progressed nicely and he’s healed up well."

Emmanuel Moseley working toward playing before the season is over

Moseley has had a rough go with injuries the last couple years. He suffered a torn left ACL in Week 5 of the 2022 season when he was with the San Francisco 49ers. The Lions took a free agency flier on him in 2023, then a setback delayed his debut for them last season. In that debut, in Week 5 as well, he tore his right ACL two plays in. Before suffering the torn pectoral in August, he was seeing first team slot corner reps in training camp.

When Moseley will be able to play is unclear, but there is a frame of reference.

Former Lions' safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral in Week 2 last season, and returned for the regular season finale plus the playoffs. Moseley suffered his injury roughly a month before Gardner-Johnson suffered his, but it's worth noting there are different grades of pectoral tears (see Lions center Frank Ragnow, who missed one game with one earlier this season).

In any case, Campbell basically said it's "when, not if" Moseley suits up for the Lions this season.