The Lions may find their secondary in a lot better shape without Terrion Arnold
Detroit Lions secondary might actually be better off after Terrion Arnold’s arrest. That sounds crazy, but Detroit has more depth and more viable options in the defensive backfield than many fans are giving it credit for.
Detroit Lions fans are freaking out about the secondary right now, and I get it. Between the Terrion Arnold arrest situation, Brian Branch’s Achilles recovery, and Kerby Joseph’s lingering knee concerns, the Lions cornerback and safety depth chart looks like a nightmare scenario. But I’m telling you, this secondary is still in good shape. The panic is premature, and the roster is deeper than people realize.
The Arnold situation isn’t as devastating as it seems
The Terrion Arnold situation puts the Lions in an uncomfortable and unfortunate position where they’re going to have to figure out how to replace him. But you have to understand something. Last week at mandatory minicamp, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Arnold had to earn his job. Arnold was not a guaranteed starter heading into 2026. He struggled in his first two seasons and hadn’t lived up to being a first-round pick. More than likely he probably would have won the starting job, but he was never locked in for that spot. Detroit isn’t losing an All-Pro or a Pro Bowler here.
We can all agree Arnold has not played up to his draft status. The Lions could start Rock Ya-Sin, who started a lot of games last season and played well as a solid veteran. Or they could go out and sign someone like a Rasul Douglas and arguably be in better shape than they were with Arnold penciled in as the starter. At the end of the day, you can’t tell me that losing of a player who graded out at 52.6 on Pro Football Focus is the death knell.
Branch and Joseph aren’t done
Brian Branch looks closer to returning than he does to not returning. There’s talk about the possibility, although it may be a small one, that he could return at training camp and be ready for Detroit’s Week 1.
As for Kerby Joseph, no one within the organization has ruled him out. That narrative is coming entirely from fans listening to internet doctors who have never treated Joseph, never saw him, never looked at his X-rays, and don’t even know the actual injury because the Lions haven’t disclosed it. The only report from any sort of credible source came from Jordan Schultz last season, who said the Lions don’t see this as a career-altering injury. Detroit didn’t even want to put him on IR because they felt there was a chance he could come back. Go look at his Instagram. He’s working out. He was at the Lions facility. They just didn’t want to waste OTAs or minicamp on putting him out there when the goal is having him ready for training camp.
The safety room is one of the deepest in the NFL
People have to stop overlooking what the Lions have built at the safety position. Chuck Clark was a starter for eight years in this league. Christian Izien is an up-and-coming versatile safety who could very well start this season. Thomas Harper started nine games last season and was the 10th highest-graded safety in the league by Pro Football Focus. Avonte Maddox was the 11th highest-graded safety. This group has real depth.
The cornerback picture is coming together
D.J. Reed was playing top-tier football before his injury last season. When he came back, he struggled, but that happens with basically every player who returns from injury during the season. You’re never getting a player 100% back from an injury that required surgery and kept him out for almost the entire year. Reed is good. He’s going to be fine.
Opposite Reed, Ya-Sin has starter experience and played well for Detroit last season. Roger McCreary has the slot corner role figured out. And then there’s Keith Abney, who the Lions got in the 5th round despite being mocked in the 2nd round. He has potential starting ability as early as this year.
Calm down. It’s June.
We’re freaking out way too early. Training camp hasn’t even started yet. Guys who fans think might not play this year are probably going to play, and guys who seem locked in might get hurt over the summer. Things happen. This is the deepest secondary the Lions have had since Brad Holmes arrived in Detroit. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. They need to nail down one starting cornerback spot, and they may already have the answer in Ya-Sin. The Lions are going to be fine.
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