The Detroit Lions finished the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 15-2 record. As the Wild Card round kicks off this weekend, the Lions will be home resting up for the Divisional Round.

Throughout the season, the Lions have lost countless players on both sides of the ball but that didn’t affect their performances on the football field. Detroit got terrific updates on cornerback Terrion Arnold and running back David Montgomery this week. The positive news on the injury front continued but this time it was around rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Lions News: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Activated From IR on Thursday

According to Thursday’s NFL transactions wire, the Lions designated Rakestraw Jr. to return from injured reserve. He can be activated to the active roster at any point over the next three weeks.

The Missouri product was selected with the 61st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, as the Lions brought him and Arnold in over the offseason when they overhauled the secondary. He has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in practice ahead of Week 11.

Before going down with this injury, Rakestraw Jr. only played in 46 total snaps. The Lions may not have that luxury in the postseason with starting cornerback Carlton Davis on IR with a broken jaw. The trio of Arnold, Amik Robertson, and Kindle Vildor have taken the bulk of the reps but the near return of Rakestraw Jr. gives the Lions more depth.

The 22-year-old has recorded eight total tackles this season but will have the next few weeks to get his legs back under him in practice.

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a play against Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Although he won’t be thrust right back into the fire, he must be ready to go whenever he suits up. The way players have been injured this campaign for Detroit, there’s a chance that Rakestraw Jr. will be some action in the postseason.

Whether he plays or not, getting the Texas native back will be a massive boost for a Lions team chasing their first Super Bowl championship. We’ll keep a close eye on next week’s injury report and see if Rakestraw Jr. plays in the Divisional Round.