GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Detroit Lions are rolling toward the postseason but another injury in the secondary has caused some fans to worry about the team’s ceiling.
Top cornerback Carlton Davis III left Sunday’s 24-6 win over the Colts with a knee injury. The Lions went into the game without rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is nursing a groin injury, and fellow rookie Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who was added to injured reserve last week.
Davis’ injury happened early in the fourth quarter, when he went down without being hit and grabbed at his left knee. He ended up walking off of the field on his own, albeit slowly. He was ruled questionable to return, but never got back in the game.
Following the game, head coach Dan Campbell didn’t provide any specifics about Davis’ injury but doesn’t expect him to be out long-term.
Fifth-year player Kindle Vildor filled in for Arnold and was successfully targeted by the Indianapolis offense for long stretches of the game. Khalil Dorsey came on in place of Davis. Veteran CB Emmanuel Moseley was activated from the injured reserve this week but didn’t see any defensive snaps in his first game back since suffering a torn pectoral muscle in training camp.
If Davis were to miss time, and assuming Arnold returns to take the other corner spot, the Lions would likely use some platoon of Vildor, Dorsey and Moseley to fill the gaps.
Slot corner Amik Robertson could also be brought into the mix and move Brian Branch from safety back to the slot, and instead rely on depth at safety, including Brandon Joseph.
The Lions (10-1) don’t have long to heal up before their next game. Detroit hosts NFC North rival Chicago (4-7) on Thanksgiving Day. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. The game will be televised on CBS.
