Terrion Arnold got big praise from Rams WR Cooper Kupp after NFL debut

Heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell pointed to rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold as being plenty ready for the test of going against one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL during his NFL debut.

Arnold wound up finishing the game with eight tackles (third on the team), while allowing eight catches for 57 yards on 10 targets (according to Pro Football Focus). He also had two pass interference penalties in the end zone, setting the Rams up for first-and-goal twice. But they only got a touchdown on one of them, thanks to a holding penalty by the Rams that set them back after the second penalty on Arnold.

Pass interference penalties can be an adjustment for rookie cornerbacks making the transition to the NFL, and Arnold was evaluated a "physical, handsy corner" in his pre-draft evaluations. Per Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News, the pass interference penalties, one far more blatant than the other and will go down as lessons learned for the rookie corner.

"I feel like I could have been better with my hands and just looking back at the ball. Those are the plays that I gotta look up, take the risk of looking at the ball and make those plays," Arnold said.

Head coach Dan Campbell was not concerned about the penalties, and doesn't want Arnold to lose his aggressiveness because of them.

Terrion Arnold gets nice praise from Cooper Kupp after NFL debut

Arnold went up against Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp plenty on Sunday night. With Puka Nacua (knee) banged up and eventually leaving the game for good, the NFL's leading receiver in 2021 had 14 catches for 110 yards on 21 targets.

After the game, via Ben Raven of MLive, Arnold talked about the matchup and passed along something Kupp said to him.

"As a cornerback, you got the toughest task; just go out there. Cooper Kupp, he’s a very great player. So, I mean, me guarding him, even after the game, coming up to him, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, man, you one of those ones.’ It was a great game. Great matchup going against him."

It's always nice to get praise from an opponent, but Arnold didn't necessarily need affirmation from Kupp.

“I know I’m one of those ones. I know I’m a great player. I go out there and play with confidence. Just a testament to my hard work and also a testament to our path.”

Arnold had a good NFL debut overall, but as expected there are some things to hone. Getting noticed by a receiver of Kupp's caliber shouldn't be set aside as nothing.