It’s almost like déjà vu when it comes to injuries on the Detroit Lions‘ roster. The team had countless injures, especially on their defense, last season, and it possibly cost them a trip to the big game. Now, the injuries are already piling up, and we’re still more than a month away from the start of the season.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Thursday, August 7, that Ennis Rakestraw Jr. had successful shoulder surgery but will miss the entire upcoming season. It had already been revealed that Rakestraw would have surgery, but it’s terrible to learn that he’ll be out for the full season.
“#Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. underwent successful shoulder surgery today and will miss all of the 2025 season,” Schultz stated on X. “A tough blow for the talented 2nd-round pick, who was poised to take on a much bigger role in Detroit’s secondary this year before suffering the injury in practice.”
So, the Lions really have to act fast if they want to secure the cornerback position for the upcoming campaign. Those who follow the Lions remember that last year, the Lions had multiple cornerbacks injured, and it hurt the team.
Detroit Lions Advised to Add Free Agent
So, the Lions need to act quickly. In a Thursday, Aug. 7, feature for Detroit Jock City, Joe Summers gives his pick for the perfect person to fill Rakestraw’s shoes, at least for this season.
In the piece, Summers notes that it’s “a devastating blow for a unit dependent on Rakestraw, but 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is still available in free agency.”
He adds, “The 34-year-old Gilmore isn’t what he once was, yet he still started 15 games for the Minnesota Vikings’ league-best defense in 2024, ranking 93rd out of 222 qualified cornerbacks at Pro Football Focus.”
Summers adds that “At this stage in training camp, the Lions don’t have many options. Scoring Gilmore at a discount would represent an ideal Band-Aid to what could be a season-destroying problem.”
What Can Help the Detroit Lions Finally Get to the Big Game
Of course, the biggest thing is to see the Detroit Lions finally get to the big game, which they have never been able to do. “They’ve been to the NFC title game, they’ve won the division, and they’ve dominated the regular season,” Summers states “If the superior passing attacks of the conference pick apart the secondary, fans’ angst will only grow.”
Summers also says the Lions have to act fast, stating, that this “is no time to sit on your hands.” So, as they say, time is of the essence.
“Gilmore has 32 career interceptions and is one of the best lockdown corners of the era,” he adds. “At the very least, he could help teach 2024 first-rounder Terrion Arnold the tricks of the trade and be a positive veteran influence.”
It’s a great point that the Lions can’t sit around at a time like this. They need to make a move, even if it’s the wrong move, to try to fill this new hole in the lineup. Action of any kind is better than inaction at this point.
