Lions Urged to Consider Reunion With Former Starting Defensive Back
Fortunately, the Detroit Lions received a great update on injured cornerback Terrion Arnold on Tuesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported a second opinion indicated Arnold’s shoulder injury is not season-ending. Furthermore, Arnold could only need about a month to recover.
That prognosis means the Lions might be less inclined to add another cornerback. However, if Arnold lands on injured reserve, a cornerback addition for Detroit still makes sense. In addition to Arnold, Lions cornerbacks Ennis Rakestraw, D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey also have injured.
SI on Lions‘ Emmett Matasovky named seven external cornerback options for the Lions to consider. One of the more intriguing possibilities Matasovky proposed was former Detroit defensive back Jerry Jacobs.
“Jacobs is another veteran with experience in Detroit, playing during the first three years of the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell era,” wrote Matasovky.
He started 12 games for the Lions during their NFC Championship appearance year in 2023, picking off three passes. However, that year, Jacobs has not appeared in a regular season game since.
“He spent all of 2024 out of football, too. However, he has stayed in shape for football, as the Cowboys and Colts have each worked him out since June.
His 12 starts in 2023 were a career high for Jacobs. However, he lost his starting role after Week 14 of that season. Jacobs then barely played in the final four games and didn’t dress for any of the team’s playoff matchups.
Since then, Jacobs has spent time with the Los Angeles Rams. But he hasn’t appeared in another NFL game since 2023. The Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts didn’t sign him to contracts following his workouts with those teams.
Why the Lions Could Sign CB Jerry Jacobs
Based on Schefter’s report, Arnold could return by Halloween. That makes the urgency for the Lions to add a cornerback much lower than originally expected to begin this week.
So, if the team adds a defensive back, it would make sense that he has experience but is also a veteran that could play a reserve role when Arnold returns.
As long as he is still in football shape, Jacobs fits that mold. He has started 29 NFL games, all of which came with the Lions. Jacobs is familiar with Detroit’s defensive system and could probably contribute immediately (if in shape).
In 15 games during 2023, he posted 55 combined tackles, including two tackles for loss. Jacobs also had eight pass defenses and three interceptions.
In addition to Jacobs, Matasovsky named former Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson a potential external cornerback option for Detroit. But on Tuesday, the Baltimore Ravens signed Gardner-Johnson.
Cornerbacks DiCaprio Bootle, Cameron Dantzler, Melvin Smith Jr., Fabian Moreau and Tre Hawkins were the other external candidates that made Matasovsky’s list.
BREAKING: "FOOTBALL IS NOT A PERFORMANCE" — Jonathan Taylor’s Fiery Response to Bad Bunny’s SNL Line Stuns NFL
"WE'RE HERE TO PLAY, NOT TO BE ENTERTAINERS. FOOTBALL IS ABOUT HARD WORK, NOT FLASH." – Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts Running Back
The line between entertainment and football was further blurred when global superstar Bad Bunny made a bold statement on
One player who wasted no time in reacting to the comment was Indianapolis Colts star Jonathan Taylor. Known for his workhorse mentality and relentless style on the field, Taylor was quick to speak up, delivering a no-holds-barred response that immediately grabbed attention. “We’re here to play, not to be entertainers. Football is about hard work, not flash,” Taylor said with a focused intensity. “This is a game built on discipline, sacrifice, and grit. We earn everything on that field. It’s not a stage for a performance.”
Taylor’s strong words hit home for many in the NFL, where the line between spectacle and sportsmanship is sometimes hard to define. As one of the league’s premier running backs, Taylor’s stance on this issue carries significant weight. His no-nonsense approach to the game has made him a fan favorite in Indianapolis, and his comments sparked a wave of support from teammates and players across the league who shared his sentiment.
“Football is real. It’s not about how many views you get or who’s performing at halftime. It’s about respect for the game,” said one anonymous Colts player. “Jonathan’s right. We’re here to grind, to give everything for the team, and to prove ourselves every week.”
Taylor’s comments come at a critical time for the Colts, who have had a rocky start to their season. With a focus on getting their offense back on track, Taylor’s leadership and commitment to the team will be crucial in determining their success moving forward. His strong stance against the commercialization of the sport highlights the passion and dedication of players who still see football as more than just an entertainment vehicle.
While Bad Bunny’s remark was a playful challenge to his fans, Taylor’s response reflects the deeply rooted culture of discipline that exists in the NFL. In a league where physical and mental toughness are paramount, players like Taylor are dedicated to keeping the integrity of the game intact, regardless of the surrounding distractions.
As the Colts continue their push for success, Taylor’s message will undoubtedly resonate in the locker room and among fans, reminding everyone that the heart of football lies in the effort and sacrifice that players make — not in the spectacle or the fame.
With his eyes firmly set on the field, Taylor remains focused on what truly matters: the game. And for the Colts, that mentality is exactly what they need to turn their season around.
The question remains: Can the NFL continue to balance entertainment with the integrity of the game? Jonathan Taylor’s answer is clear — football is about hard work, not flash.
