Lions Linked to Trade for $27 Million DB Following Brian Branch Suspension

The Detroit Lions will play against one of the NFL’s best offenses when they square off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football” on October 20 — and Detroit will do so without three of its regular starters in the secondary.

The Lions won’t have cornerbacks Terrion Arnold, who is out with a shoulder injury, or D.J. Reed, who is on IR with a hamstring stain. Safety Brian Branch will also miss the contest due to a one-game suspension without pay from the league after he started a fight with Kansas City Chiefs players following Detroit’s game there on Sunday night, October 12.

And while Branch is just out one contest, and the Lions have a bye following the game against the Bucs that might allow Arnold a chance to return to the field after missing just one more outing, Detroit’s secondary could clearly use reinforcements.

As such, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus mentioned the Lions as a top potential trade partner for cornerback Rasul Douglas, currently of the Miami Dolphins.

“Douglas didn’t sign with the Dolphins until late August, which was surprising given his pedigree. As it turns out, there are likely a myriad of teams that would have liked to have added Douglas earlier based on his play in 2025,” Locker wrote. “Douglas has posted a 77.9 PFF coverage grade with three pass breakups across 161 coverage snaps, looking more like the standout player we saw in 2023. At 1-5 and with persistent locker room turmoil, Miami will likely have a “for sale” sign up. The 30-year-old rental could help [several teams].”

Rasul Douglas Well Respected as Player, Teammate Across Multiple NFL Stops

GettyFormer Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas.

Douglas, now 31 years old, is a nine-year NFL veteran. He began his career with the Philadelphia Eagles and then played one season with the Carolina Panthers before landing with the Green Bay Packers.

The cornerback played two-plus years with Green Bay and signed a three-year deal worth $21 million to stay with the Packers in March 2022. The franchise ended up trading him to the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2023 mid-season trade deadline, where Douglas remained through the end of last year.

All told, Douglas has earned just shy of $27 million in his professional career and teammates across multiple stops have lauded him as a locker room leader. He has tallied 83 pass breakups, 19 INTs, four forced fumbles, three sacks and three defensive TDs across 126 games played (84 starts).

Lions Add Former Chiefs Safety to Roster to Bolster Hampered Secondary

GettyDetroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch.

The Lions addressed the secondary to some degree on Wednesday night, adding Jammie Robinson via the Kansas City practice squad.

“The Lions are signing DB Jammie Robinson to a one-year deal, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported via X. “Was with Kansas City’s practice squad previously. Detroit depleted in secondary.”

However, the move doesn’t help the Lions directly at the cornerback position, which is an area of greater and longer-term concern with regards to depth. As such, Detroit likely isn’t done adding to the secondary, and Douglas provides a reasonable solution.

Emmitt Smith Opens Up About the Pressures of Being “the Man of the House” in Modern Times

Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith has recently drawn attention for his candid reflections on the challenges of balancing modern family life. While the NFL icon didn’t confirm any major relationship issues, his comments sparked widespread discussion about how traditional expectations for men and women have evolved — and sometimes, collided.

“She wanted me to be both the provider and the housekeeper”

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According to Smith’s words circulating on social media, he expressed frustration about the conflicting expectations placed upon him:

“She wanted me to be the financial provider and also handle all the housework. Then she said modern women doing chores is oppression from the patriarchy. That just doesn’t make sense to me.”

His quote quickly went viral, igniting debates on social media about gender dynamics and the pressures both partners face in today’s relationships.

Fans and followers are split

The reaction from fans — especially those within the

Cowboys Nation — was divided into two clear camps:

Supporters of Smith argued that even the strongest men can’t shoulder every burden at once — financial, emotional, and domestic.
Others disagreed
, suggesting that Smith’s statement reflected outdated thinking and that shared household responsibilities shouldn’t be tied to gender roles.

Regardless of where one stands, Emmitt Smith’s story has reignited an age-old question:

What does it really mean to “be a man” in a modern relationship?

A legend still standing tall

Known for his unmatched durability and consistency, Emmitt Smith remains the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a three-time Super Bowl champion. Fans admire him not just for his football achievements, but for his discipline and perseverance — qualities that now seem to echo in his off-field reflections.

His words reveal not frustration alone, but a deeper search for balance between career, family, and personal values — something millions of people, athletes or not, can relate to.

The bigger picture

Emmitt Smith’s remarks aren’t just about chores or gender expectations — they highlight how relationships today are redefining what equality and partnership really mean. Even those who once conquered the gridiron still find themselves facing a different kind of challenge: maintaining harmony at home in a world that’s constantly changing.