The Detroit Lions have a pair of injury concerns in the cornerbacks room after the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns and that could lead to the team exploring its outside options in the trade and free-agent markets.
Both cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold suffered injuries on Sunday, which forced their early exits. Reed left with a hamstring issue that looked to be significant, while Arnold came down with a shoulder injury.
After the game, head coach Dan Campbell agreed that Reed's injury looked to be serious, although he didn't have an exact update on either of his cornerbacks.
“We all saw Reed’s. I don’t know what that’s going to be or how long," Campbell said after the game. "Certainly, I cannot imagine him playing next week at a minimum until we get more tests done."
"I don’t think TA’s (Arnold’s) a major (injury), is a major thing. I don’t know. There again, I don’t know about him next week, but it’s certainly not as significant as what Reed had,” Campbell added.
If those two miss time, the Lions would be forced to start Amik Robertson and Khalil Dorsey on the boundary next week. Rock Ya-Sin is another option.
It goes without saying the Lions are going to need more help if Arnold and/or Reed are down for a long time. Luckily, there appears to be a veteran cornerback on the market.
Lions should trade for Riq Woolen
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, teams around the NFL believe that the Seattle Seahawks could make cornerback Riq Woolen available via trade by the deadline.
"With Seahawks star CB Devon Witherspoon returning on Thursday, teams are monitoring Pro Bowl CB Riq Woolen as a possible trade target by the deadline, sources tell The Insiders," he reported on Sunday. "Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available."
A former Pro Bowler, Woolen has exceeded expectations as a former fifth-round pick during his career and has posted solid numbers over his four seasons in the NFL.
Over his first three seasons, Woolen gave up completion rates of 57.7% or lower and passer ratings of 79.8 or lower. In 2024, the Seahawks corner has given up a completion rate of 61.1% and a passer rating of 106.7 when targeted.
Woolen has played all but 37 of his career snaps on the boundary, but that's fine because it allows Robertson to play more in the slot, where he is typically at his best.
With Witherspoon returning on Thursday night, and with Josh Jobe and Derion Kendrick stepping up, it's conceivable Seattle could deal Woolen, who is in the final year of his contract.
If the Lions do have interest in Woolen amid their cornerback injuries, they should pounce on him as quickly as possible before something happens in Seattle that has the Seahawks change their minds about dealing the veteran defender.
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