Lions’ Terrion Arnold trending for Week 9 return vs. Vikings
The Detroit Lions are preparing to face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9, as NFC North rivals clash at Ford Field. Now, they may get a boost as the Lions’ cornerback Terrion Arnold could be returning after logging a full practice. Lions insider Tim Twentyman released the practice report, which highlighted that Arnold participated in full.
The practice report revealed that Arnold was a full-time participant during Wednesday’s practice to start the week, while listing several others as having limited practice sessions.
If Arnold returns, it would be a big boost for a secondary that has had its share of injuries this season. Despite the injuries, the Lions remain one of the best teams in the NFL, and are 5-2 coming into this game.
But the overarching story for this team has been its injuries in the secondary. So far, those injuries include cornerbacks DJ Reed, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Khalil Dorsey, and free safety Daniel Thomas. Free safety Kerby Joseph and cornerback Rock-Ya Sin are also dealing with ailments.
Arnold sustained his shoulder injury in the 37-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. That has caused him to miss the past two games. But with his return to practice, there is hope he could make an impact and return in Week 9 against the Vikings. Before the injury, Arnold had 16 solo tackles and four pass deflections over five games.
The former Alabama cornerback will attempt to help a pass defense that is just 27th in passing touchdowns allowed, indicating a need for improvement, as the Lions attempt to repeat as NFC North champions. In addition to Arnold possibly returning, cornerback Brian Branch will return after the league suspended him one game for slapping Juju Smith-Schuster after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Lions in Week 6.
The Lions’ defense looks stronger than ever as they bring back two of their cornerbacks, in addition to the overwhelming presence of Aidan Huthinson. They will get their first chance to build momentum as they host the Vikings in Week 9 with the hopes ot making a big run.
Eagles Trade Could Make Cooper DeJean Full-Time On Outside
Vic Fangio has been reluctant to move Cooper DeJean to outside cornerback on a full-time basis because of how well he plays in the slot. Now, the Eagles' defensive coordinator may make that move after his general manager landed nickel cornerback Michael Carter from the New York Jets on Wednesday afternoon, with the trade deadline still six days away.
“We considered it,” said Fangio when asked if they thought of making DeJean a full-time outside cornerback.
The problem has been who to put into the slot if such a move were to be made.
“When you have one of the better players at a certain position, and it's an important position where you get involved more, you hate to take a really good player at one position to maybe not be as good of a player or impactful of a player at another position, but it's definitely something that we've talked about,” said the DC.
To land Carter, Howie Roseman sent receiver John Metchie and a 2027 sixth-round pick to New York for the slot corner and a 2027 seventh-round selection. This is the second time Metchie has been traded in the past two-plus months.
John Metchie's Role Never Developed
His role never materialized after Roseman sent tight end Harrison Bryant and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Texans for Metchie and a 2026 sixth-rounder on Aug. 17. The receiver played in just four games, getting 22 offensive snaps. He made four catches for 18 yards.
Carter was considered one of the best slots corners in the NFL as recently as 2023, but he has battled injuries since then. He sustained a concussion in Week 4 that forced him to miss four games. He returned to the lineup last week but played just six defensive snaps.
He missed a handful of games in 2024 with a back injury. He suffered a high ankle sprain during training camp also that summer.
The addition of Carter doesn't guarantee he will become an instant starter in the slot. The Eagles are expected to activate Jakorian Bennett off injured reserve and Adoree Jackson could be ready to return after the bye from a concussion that forced him to miss last week's game against the Giants.
The Jets and their general manager at the time, Joe Douglas, selected Carter in the fifth round out of Duke in 2021. Douglas, now with the Eagles, signed him to a three-year contract extension that runs through 2026 but has a salary cap hit of $12.25 million.
As for DeJean, Fangio talked about how lucky the Eagles were to have him, not only for his talent but his versatility.
“We got very lucky that he lasted till the middle of the second round,” he said. “I think the reason he did is because he only played corner in college, at least his last year. I don't think everybody was sure [if he] was he a first-round corner, second-round corner, third-round corner. I don't think the league as a whole had a feel for his versatility because he didn't play it in college.
“He's really a damn good nickel. Probably one of the best nickels in the league, and we're playing him at corner in the base. He could play safety if we needed him to. He's a defensive back, but really, he's just a good football player.”
