The Detroit Lions have finally put Terrion Arnold on the IR, as the second-year cornerback is out for the remainder of this season as he prepares to undergo shoulder surgery. That injury has plagued him, and the Lions' defense, since Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, so it's nice to see that he's finally getting it taken care of.
However, the Lions are now without Arnold and Kerby Joseph, most likely for the rest of the year. This leaves them with a major hole defensively and open to vulnerabilities in the air. Detroit has to win in Week 14 in order to keep its postseason hopes alive, and it just doesn't feel like a sure thing when they're now set to face off with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
A secondary once seen as formidable is now weakened beyond repair with just five games left in the season.
Lions have little answer to Lamb, Pickens in Week 14
As of now, here's who the Lions have at cornerback headed into Ford Field on Thursday night:
Rock Ya-Sin
D.J. Reed
Khalil Dorsey
In a pinch, Amik Robertson and Avonte Maddox are also available for Detroit. As for their safety room:
Brian Branch
Daniel Thomas
Thomas Harper
And, that's it. Branch has been a solid defender since returning from his injuries and suspension this season, but he's not the turnover generator that Joseph has been for the Lions the last few seasons. As for Reed, he's coming back as Arnold officially goes down for the year, officially ending that experiment for 2025 that began in free agency.
It feels unfair to expect Joseph or Arnold-levels contributions from Harper, Thomas, Maddox, or Robertson this season. But, that's what defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has to be hoping for in Week 14, which could be one of the only "winnable" games the Lions have remaining on their schedule against an NFC team.
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Even so, the Cowboys have won their last three games, and with the NFC becoming a lot more shaky in recent weeks, they have a shot at making the postseason if they maintain their current momentum.
A lot of that responsibility will fall on Lamb and Pickens producing. With both excelling at completing huge plays, and after seeing how badly the Lions defended against Jordan Love's huge arm on Thanksgiving, it's hard to imagine how Detroit will so quickly change their strategy to become a better pass defending team.
If the Lions win this game, it boosts their chances of making the postseason to 45 percent. A loss drops them all the way down to 12 percent - a virtual elimination.
No pressure!