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Arguably the Detroit Lions' most important training camp position battle is in its defensive backfield.
After the offseason release of former first-round pick Terrion Arnold, the Lions' battle for the No. 2 cornerback slot opposite D.J. Reed became one of its most important training camp storylines.
Ahead of its first padded practice on Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell commented on Detroit's cornerback battle.
Rock Ya-Sin and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. have received the bulk of the first-team reps. Ya-Sin played in all 17 games last season, starting six contests, including the final three. Ya-Sin registered 611 defensive snaps with the Lions last season, per Pro Football Focus.
Rakestraw was a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but a hamstring injury limited him to just eight games played in 2024. Then, Rakestraw was placed on season-ending injured reserve in last year's training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery.
"It's another position where, man, Rock's making plays. We've been with Rock, we know what he's about, we know the way he competes. We've got high hopes for Rakestraw, too. And there's been, you see flashes with him. There's some good stuff. There's some, just same thing, inconsistencies with him a little bit. But then I would say, those are less and less every day, which is good news," Campbell said.
But, Nick Whiteside has been impressing the coaching staff as well.
"Whiteside has made plays every day, special teams and on defense. Every day. Alright. There has not been a day yet—we've had four practices—where he has not made plays. So, this is about to get interesting. It's going to be really interesting," Campbell said.
Whiteside spent the bulk of the 2023 NFL season on the Washington Commanders' practice squad, appearing in two games. After a UFL stint with the St. Louis Battlehawks, the Lions signed Whiteside before its 2025 training camp. After he was waived during roster cuts, the Lions re-signed him to the practice squad in October.
Whiteside played in nine games last season and registered 51 defensive snaps.
Campbell also mentioned veterans Khalil Dorsey and Roger McCreary as players in the mix. Dorsey and McCreary have played in 44 and 61 regular-season games, respectively. McCreary has made 38 career regular-season starts.
"The other is Dorsey. Dorsey looks good. Dorsey's making plays, too. Look, that cornerback group is, we've got a pretty good mix here, young players and some guys that have had experience. McCreary. So look, this thing, we'll see. It's pretty exciting," Campbell said.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Dan Campbell: Lions' cornerback battle 'about to get interesting'
Continue reading...
After the offseason release of former first-round pick Terrion Arnold, the Lions' battle for the No. 2 cornerback slot opposite D.J. Reed became one of its most important training camp storylines.
Ahead of its first padded practice on Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell commented on Detroit's cornerback battle.
Rock Ya-Sin and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. have received the bulk of the first-team reps. Ya-Sin played in all 17 games last season, starting six contests, including the final three. Ya-Sin registered 611 defensive snaps with the Lions last season, per Pro Football Focus.
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Rakestraw was a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but a hamstring injury limited him to just eight games played in 2024. Then, Rakestraw was placed on season-ending injured reserve in last year's training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery.
"It's another position where, man, Rock's making plays. We've been with Rock, we know what he's about, we know the way he competes. We've got high hopes for Rakestraw, too. And there's been, you see flashes with him. There's some good stuff. There's some, just same thing, inconsistencies with him a little bit. But then I would say, those are less and less every day, which is good news," Campbell said.
But, Nick Whiteside has been impressing the coaching staff as well.
"Whiteside has made plays every day, special teams and on defense. Every day. Alright. There has not been a day yet—we've had four practices—where he has not made plays. So, this is about to get interesting. It's going to be really interesting," Campbell said.
Whiteside spent the bulk of the 2023 NFL season on the Washington Commanders' practice squad, appearing in two games. After a UFL stint with the St. Louis Battlehawks, the Lions signed Whiteside before its 2025 training camp. After he was waived during roster cuts, the Lions re-signed him to the practice squad in October.
Whiteside played in nine games last season and registered 51 defensive snaps.
Campbell also mentioned veterans Khalil Dorsey and Roger McCreary as players in the mix. Dorsey and McCreary have played in 44 and 61 regular-season games, respectively. McCreary has made 38 career regular-season starts.
"The other is Dorsey. Dorsey looks good. Dorsey's making plays, too. Look, that cornerback group is, we've got a pretty good mix here, young players and some guys that have had experience. McCreary. So look, this thing, we'll see. It's pretty exciting," Campbell said.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Josh on X, @JoshOnLions
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Dan Campbell: Lions' cornerback battle 'about to get interesting'
Continue reading...
