Lions Named Potential Suitor for Projected $62 Million CB
The Detroit Lions remain hopeful that second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold won’t miss the remainder of the 2025 NFL season. But if he does because of his shoulder injury, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox argued in favor of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen as a possible replacement.
Knox named the Lions a potential suitor for Woolen on his NFL trade block big board entering Week 6.
“Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen is only 26 years old, has 51 starts on his resume and has logged 11 interceptions and 42 passes defended as a Pro.
“However, Seattle could be more interested in moving him than extending the impending 2026 free agent,” wrote Knox.
“While Woolen was stellar early in his career—he allowed an opposing passer rating of just 48.7 as a rookie in 2022—he’s struggled to mesh with Mike Macdonald’s defense.
“This year, he has allowed an opposing passer rating of 111.2 in coverage. However, this doesn’t mean he couldn’t help a different team in a different situation.”
As a rookie in 2022, Woolen finished tied for the league-lead with six interceptions. He also had 63 combined tackles with 16 pass defenses.
All of those totals remain career highs for the 26-year-old.
Still, Woolen could receive a big pay day next year. Spotrac projected Woolen to be worth about $62.8 million on a four-year contract.
How Riq Woolen Could Fit With the Lions
Without Arnold, the Lions are down several cornerbacks from training camp.
Arnold isn’t on injured reserve, but Thursday, Detroit placed Khalil Dorsey on IR. Dorsey joined starting cornerback D.J. Reed on the injured list.
Before the season even began, 2024 second-rounder Ennis Rakestraw suffered a season-ending injury.
Trading for Woolen would give the Lions quality depth. He’s young enough to still have upside, but Woolen has a lot of NFL experience as well.
He’s started 51 games in the league. In all four of his seasons, he has played at least 85% of Seattle’s defensive snaps.
In five games this season, Woolen has posted 17 combined tackles and one pass defense.
Terrion Arnold Injury Update for Lions
Immediately after Arnold sustained his shoulder injury in Week 5, the fear was the young cornerback was done for the season.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that a second opinion revealed the injury isn’t as bad as that initial fear. Schefter added Arnold could be back this month.
Campbell tried to downplay the significance of the second opinion when he addressed the injury again Wednesday. But the possibility of Arnold returning within the month is still great news.
Even still, Detroit finding additional cornerback depth wouldn’t be a bad move. A team with Super Bowl aspirations can’t really have enough depth at any position.
With Arnold not likely to play in Week 6, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox are probably going to see the bulk of the team’s snaps at cornerback Sunday night. The Lions also have Tre Flowers and Arthur Maulet on the practice squad.
It would make a lot of sense for Detroit to elevate one of those two cornerbacks from their practice squad for Week 6.
The Lions will visit the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. Kickoff will occur at 8:20 pm ET.
Steelers’ Rookie QB Will Howard Faces Unprecedented Injury That Shakes Up His Season
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard fractured a bone in his right hand during a freak accident on a center exchange during training camp, holding him out of preseason action and landing him on injured reserve to begin the year.
While appearing on the "Downs 2 Business" podcast with former Ohio State teammate Caleb Downs and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, who are brothers, Howard went into detail on his ailment and the surprising nature of his diagnosis.
"It was an under-center snap was how it happened," Howard said. "The doctors were like, 'We've never seen anything like this happen.' Snapped it into my hand and jammed my pinky out and it broke this bone right here. It was crazy. Everyone was like, 'I thought you just jammed your finger.' I finished that drill, had a couple plays then I went to the next drill. I couldn't even grab the football. I was like, 'Something is messed up, I have to get this checked out.' And I went up, I was like, 'I'll be right back down. I'm just going to get X-rayed, make sure I'm cool.' Went up there, sure enough it was broken."
Howard was settling into his groove and coming off a string of strong performances at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. at the time of his injury. He lost out on valuable reps during the Steelers' three-game exhibition slate as a result while Skylar Thompson, who previously found himself as the team's QB No. 4, locked up a 53-man roster spot.
The next steps for the Steelers are figuring out whether or not it's worth it to activate Howard from IR. The 23-year-old revealed that he was starting to throw again during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" last week, meaning he isn't all that far away from a potential return.
Pittsburgh could choose to stash him on IR even after he's healthy enough to fully get back into the swing of things in order to keep another veteran backup in Thompson around, but doing so may also stunt Howard's development as he gets acclimated to the team's offense and life in the NFL, even if he never enters a game this year.
