Lions reshuffle secondary after Rakestraw injury

Detroit faces a shakeup in its defensive backfield after Ennis Rakestraw's season-ending shoulder surgery.

Lions reshuffle secondary after Rakestraw injury

The Lions confirmed that cornerback Ennis Rakestraw will be placed on injured reserve after shoulder surgery, ending his 2025 season. The 23 year old has appeared in eight games over two seasons, tallying 46 defensive snaps.

Coach Dan Campbell has emphasized that injuries create real chances for those behind the lineup. Rock Ya-Sin has been cross trained at safety and Amik Robertson has shown versatility to play both nickel and outside cornerback, opening up multiple ways Detroit could fill the vacancy. The club also notes that injuries to others, including safety specialist Dan Jackson, could shift who starts the season with the first team.

The group of likely roster locks in the secondary remains intact for now: D J Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya Sin, Brian Branch, Avonte Maddox, and Kerby Joseph. Detroit has historically kept around 11 defensive backs on its initial 53 man roster, providing room for new players to push into the mix. With a deeper pool of options at outside corner, the Lions will need to balance inexperience with the coaches’ willingness to deploy players in multiple roles.

This development tests Detroit’s approach to building depth. The team relies on cross training and positional flexibility, a strategy that could help absorb the loss without a dramatic drop in play. Ya Sin and Robertson’s ability to swap between roles matters more than ever as rookies and backups step up in practice and preseason games. The question now is which young safeties or late additions can convert opportunity into consistent, game-ready performance.

Beyond immediate depth, the situation could reshape how the Lions evaluate their 53-man roster. If the new players show well, Detroit might favor a more versatile back end in place of a traditional, fixed setup. The coming weeks will reveal whether the roster will lean on youthful upside or proven contributors as the season approaches.

Highlights

The Lions will learn a lot about their depth this season