ALLEN PARK — After just five games — four straight wins — injuries are mounting for the Lions, especially in the secondary with four of the top five cornerbacks out.
The latest is Terrion Arnold. Coach Dan Campbell said on Monday that he’ll be out for a long time with a shoulder injury. He did not know if his injury is season-ending.
Arnold started in Sunday’s 37-24 win at Cincinnati and finished with a tackle and two defended passes.
“I just thought he was very competitive, I thought he was calm, he was cool, and I thought this was one of the better games he’s played in a while,’’ Campbell said. “I thought he was really good. We put a lot on him and I thought he answered the bell.’’
Now he’s out along with corner D.J. Reed who is on injured reserve after a hamstring injury in Week 4.
Cornerback Khalil Dorsey showed up on the injury report last week with a wrist injury and did not play Sunday. He also will be out for a while.
In August the Lions lost CB Ennis Rakestraw for the season due to a shoulder injury.
Campbell compared it to the run of defensive injuries last season except then it was front-end guys, now it’s the secondary.
“The front end was last year — the D-line, we got hit at linebacker. Now we’re pretty good there now it’s on the back end,’’ Campbell said. “You tweak a couple things and the front has got to get there a little quicker and our DBs get up there to challenge and compete. We’ll adjust, we’ll adapt, we’ll move on.’’
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin saw more action Sunday and likely will moving forward.
“I thought (Ya-Sin) did a good job yesterday. He did exactly what we asked him to do. The plan was good and he executed well in that plan,’’ Campbell said. “Here’s what you love about Rock, he plays fearless, he’s not afraid, he doesn’t care who he’s going against, he’s aggressive, he’ll challenge at the release points, he challenges at the catch point, he’ll run up, he’ll tackle, he’ll hit. That’s all you can ask for, that’s what we’re looking for.’’
Like coaches everywhere Campbell is all about the next man up. They practice that way, giving backups reps at their positions. No excuses, no head-hanging.
“This train doesn’t stop for anybody, it doesn’t matter who it is or what it is,’’ Campbell said. “We have to go, nobody cares, nobody is going to feel sorry for you. You put your best 22 out there – offense, defense and special teams. You’ve got to find a way to win the game. You use all three phases to do it and we will use all three phases to do it.’’
NEXT UP: Lions (4-1) at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12)
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