The Detroit Lions got a bigger dose of cornerback Khalil Dorsey on defense than they usually do. He made the most of it. We never see this guy. In 2025, Dorsey played 20 total snaps on defense. On Sunday, he played 16. 

Dorsey is best known as one of Detroit’s core special teams players, mostly as a gunner who flies down the field on punt coverage. When the Lions gave him more opportunities on defense, he took two big, explosive plays off the field. That’s the kind of thing that gets noticed in a locker room, and it got noticed by the head coach.

After the game, Lions coach Dan Campbell mentioned Dorsey by name. Campbell’s message was simple: if Dorsey keeps making plays like that, he’s going to get more opportunities.

“That was a plan coming in. Hey, we’re going to use all of them.” Campbell said. They’re all in the game. We’re using them on special team. We’re going to use them on defense too. Let’s roll them. And we also knew those guys (the Packers) would launch some of these. So let’s get some fresh bodies in there if we need to, and we’ll continue to do that. When guys step out and make plays, you can get more opportunities. That’s that’s bottom line, man. So Dorsey did a good job, and there’s no reason why you wouldn’t get a few more plays.”

What Dorsey wants out of a bigger role

I talked to Dorsey in the locker room after the game and asked him what he’s looking to achieve if more snaps come his way. His answer was about as team-first as it gets.

“Right now, especially with this team, it’s whatever they need me to do, whether it be have these opportunities or I wait, stuff like that,” Dorsey said. “But just happy that he gave me some opportunities to go out there and show that I could do something.”

You can understand why he’d frame it that way. The Lions have a lot of talent in their secondary, and guys in Dorsey’s position don’t get to pick and choose when their number gets called. He’s built a role in Detroit by being ready when the team needs him, whether that’s on the coverage units or on defense.

What stands out is that he didn’t just survive his extra snaps. He changed plays. Two explosives that don’t happen is a big deal for any defense, and it’s a bigger deal when it comes from a player who isn’t always on the field for that side of the ball.

Speed is still the calling card

Dorsey has always been fast. That’s a big part of why he’s been such a good gunner. I asked him if his speed was what helped him the most in this one, and he didn’t hesitate.

“Especially today, they have some blazers, so I was happy with going stride for stride with some of these dudes,” Dorsey said. “Just seeing them on film, they were . . . not saying they torched a lot of corners, but they had some speed.”

That’s the key. The Lions knew they were dealing with a fast group of receivers. Putting a player on the field who can run with them stride for stride makes a lot of sense. Dorsey’s speed isn’t just a special teams tool. It translates when a team needs someone to stay on top of a receiver and keep a big play from happening.

That being said, one good game doesn’t automatically mean a permanent role. Campbell’s comments make it clear that the opportunities are tied to production. If Dorsey keeps making plays, he’ll keep seeing the field. If he doesn’t, he’s still a valuable piece on special teams. There’s not much downside here for Detroit.

A game ball

Dorsey walked away with a game ball. When I asked whether he gave a speech to go with it, he laughed it off. He said he wasn’t really letting it go, but he made sure to confirm that, yes, he got a game ball.

That’s a cool moment for a guy who has carved out his spot the hard way. A game ball, a first on-field jersey swap with a former college teammate Coleman Owen, and a head coach publicly saying more snaps could be coming. That’s a pretty good day at the office.

Now the question is what the Lions do with it. Campbell has already said the opportunities will follow the plays. Dorsey has shown he can make them. Let’s see how much more of him we get on defense in the weeks ahead.