The Lions just got another brutal blow to their already-struggling defense. Detroit is now facing major questions in the secondary, and Dan Campbell is running out of options.
After the Detroit Lions’ secondary got absolutely dominated against the Buffalo Bills, Dan Campbell and the team have started to regroup and look at other options.
Reports came out that Detroit was working out several cornerbacks, including Kenny Moore, Jordan Fuller and Jalen Mills, who was a Lion in 2025. Detroit has given up 71 points through the first two weeks and is extremely depleted in the secondary.
It’s clear the Lions have to do something about their secondary, especially after making Ennis Rakestraw and rookie Keith Abney healthy scratches. It’s a little concerning that both players were deemed not good enough to play when Detroit desperately needs help at cornerback.
The Lions ultimately decided to sign Jalen Mills to the practice squad.
Detroit also received some more bad news. Dan Campbell announced that safety Avonte Maddox will require season-ending surgery after suffering a foot injury Thursday night against Buffalo.
During Campbell’s press conference Monday, he was also asked about the health of safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Campbell said neither Joseph nor Branch will be activated off of injured reserve this week. This leads me to believe that Branch will likely return after the week six bye, and hopefully Joseph.
Campbell did say Branch is closer to returning than Joseph, but it won’t happen this week.
Campbell had this to say about Joseph:
“Nothing I’m gonna say is going to make anybody feel better about anything. I just know we were strengthening the knee, and it wasn’t a setback, but there was a little time there where we weren’t able to do everything that we needed to do and so now we’re back at it. Until we can get the knee to a certain point where it feels strong—as strong as we can possibly get it—and he feels comfortable, we’re not going to put him out there.”
Needless to say, it appears every update on Joseph gets worse and worse.
Initially, I believed Joseph would return after the Week 6 bye, but even that might still be too early at this point. If the Lions get Joseph back for any amount of time this season, I’ll be happy, because his knee injury continues to raise more and more questions about when he’ll actually be able to return.
This is a massive bummer for Detroit. Joseph is a first-team All-Pro safety who has led the NFL in interceptions and is a true difference-maker for the Lions’ secondary.
Campbell also said the Lions are looking at veteran safeties and potentially safeties they could poach from other teams.
Campbell also gave a vote of confidence to defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, saying, “I believe in Sheppard. I believe he’s an outstanding coach.”
Dan Campbell also said the Lions are going to shake up some personnel on the defensive side of the ball.
Luckily for Detroit, they’ll take on the New York Jets next week. The Jets have struggled mightily over the last decade, and now they’re led by quarterback Geno Smith and former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
I believe this could be a get-right game for the Lions’ defense. After allowing 41 points and getting completely exposed against Buffalo, Detroit needs a strong bounce-back performance, and the Jets could provide the perfect opportunity.
