The Detroit Lions entered the 2025-26 season expecting stability at cornerback, but injuries and limited availability turned the position into a weekly question mark rather than a strength.
The 2025-26 NFL season proved to be a frustrating and uneven one for Detroit’s cornerback room, defined more by missed time and interrupted momentum than sustained production. Veterans and young players alike flashed ability, but durability and consistency remained elusive. Two players who best embodied that reality were DJ Reed and Terrion Arnold, each talented, each impactful in spurts, and each ultimately graded in the middle-to-lower range for different reasons.
DJ Reed: Grade — C
Reed’s season opened with promise. The veteran cornerback quickly established himself as Detroit’s most reliable option on the outside, providing tight coverage, physicality at the catch point and a calming presence in the secondary. Over the first half of the season, Reed routinely drew tough assignments and responded with disciplined technique and strong ball awareness.
That momentum peaked in a signature moment against Dallas. Reed recorded two interceptions on the year, the most memorable coming in a game-winning play against the Cowboys that sealed a critical victory. It was the type of clutch production Detroit envisioned when it added Reed to stabilize the back end.
However, the season pivoted after Reed suffered a hamstring injury. Though he returned to the lineup, he did not look like the same player. His change of direction appeared limited, and receivers found more separation than they had earlier in the year. The injury clearly affected his ability to play press coverage and close on routes, two areas that had been strengths early on.
Reed finished the season with two interceptions and remained competitive in coverage, but the drop-off after the injury was noticeable on film. Availability matters, and while Reed played through the issue, his effectiveness waned. When healthy, he looked like a solid starter. Over the full season, the inconsistency brings his grade down to a C.
Terrion Arnold: Grade — C-
Arnold’s rookie season was less about performance and more about opportunity — or lack thereof. The first-year cornerback appeared in just eight games and missed nine due to injury, preventing him from ever gaining rhythm or momentum. He played more than 50 percent of defensive snaps only three times all season, a clear indicator of how limited his role became.
When Arnold was on the field, the flashes were evident. His athleticism, length and aggressiveness translated to the NFL level, particularly in man coverage. He recorded his first career interception, a milestone moment that hinted at his long-term upside and ball skills.
Still, the overall body of work was thin. Arnold rarely stayed on the field long enough to be evaluated in extended stretches, and the lack of snaps made it difficult for the coaching staff to trust him in high-leverage situations. Like many rookies, he experienced some inconsistency with technique and route recognition, but those issues were compounded by missed time.
Arnold’s season totals reflected his limited role: modest tackle numbers, one interception and minimal impact plays beyond isolated moments. While his tools remain intriguing, the 2025-26 season was more about survival and development than production.
The grading reflects that reality. Arnold did not perform poorly when available, but availability itself is a skill. Missing more than half the season and rarely playing a full workload earns him a C-, with the understanding that his evaluation is far from complete.
For Detroit, the takeaway is clear. Reed and Arnold both showed why they can be part of the solution, but the secondary will need more durability and week-to-week consistency moving forward. The talent is there. The report card, however, shows plenty of room for improvement.