Detroit Lions fans held their collective breaths in the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings as they saw rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold carted off the field to the locker room after what seemed like a foot injury.
For a team ravaged by injuries this season, especially on defense, Detroit could not afford any more losses. However, the Lions escaped their Week 18 win with good news on Arnold as the team gets rest ahead of their divisional round matchup next week.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the rookie cornerback is considered day-to-day with a foot contusion. Rapoport adds that Arnold’s X-rays were negative. The rookie told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, “I’m playing” after Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
On Tuesday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell provided his own update on the young defensive back.
According to Rachel Hopmayer of CBS Detroit, Campbell said the Lions got “better news” on Arnold and offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler’s injuries. The Lions head coach added that he can’t guarantee playing, but better than expected.
With Detroit having a bye this week, the hope is Arnold can play in the divisional round next weekend at Ford Field. However, the young cornerback was seen in a walking boot on his right foot after last week’s win over the Vikings.
This season, the 21-year-old Arnold has 60 combined tackles and 10 pass deflections. He also has a 55.6 completion percentage allowed on targets, a 93.7 pass rating allowed when targeted, and only gave up four touchdowns.
According to PFF, the former Alabama cornerback has struggled in pass coverage with a 50.4 grade (among 223 qualified cornerbacks) this season, but the Lions trust him in the secondary.
If Arnold is sidelined for the divisional round, the Lions might turn to veteran Kindle Vildor. But Detroit could get back rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who has been on injured reserve since late November with a hamstring injury.
Campbell told reporters on Tuesday that there’s a chance the Lions could have Rakestraw Jr. back and said he’s trending the right way, per Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network.
We’ll see if Arnold or Rakestraw Jr. will be ready to go for the divisional round of the playoffs.
