1 hr. ago
Ennis Rakestraw entered Monday night's Detroit Lions scrimmage needing something positive to happen.
The former second-round pick had watched his standing in Detroit's secondary slip during training camp, struggled in the preseason opener against Cincinnati and found himself working primarily with the second-team defense. With Nick Whiteside emerging as one of the surprises of camp and other young defensive backs pushing for opportunities, Rakestraw's margin for error was getting smaller.
Then Monday happened.
Rakestraw delivered easily one of his best performances of the summer, showing the physicality, instincts and playmaking ability the Lions believed they were getting when they selected him No. 61 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was only one practice, but for a player fighting to change the direction of his camp, it was an important one.
Rakestraw announced himself immediately during the scrimmage. On his first snap, he aggressively attacked the line of scrimmage and delivered a strong hit on running back Jacob Saylors. One play later, he came off the corner on a blitz and dropped Saylors for a loss.
#rakestraw #lions #himself
The former second-round pick had watched his standing in Detroit's secondary slip during training camp, struggled in the preseason opener against Cincinnati and found himself working primarily with the second-team defense. With Nick Whiteside emerging as one of the surprises of camp and other young defensive backs pushing for opportunities, Rakestraw's margin for error was getting smaller.
Then Monday happened.
Rakestraw delivered easily one of his best performances of the summer, showing the physicality, instincts and playmaking ability the Lions believed they were getting when they selected him No. 61 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. It was only one practice, but for a player fighting to change the direction of his camp, it was an important one.
Rakestraw announced himself immediately during the scrimmage. On his first snap, he aggressively attacked the line of scrimmage and delivered a strong hit on running back Jacob Saylors. One play later, he came off the corner on a blitz and dropped Saylors for a loss.
#rakestraw #lions #himself
2 days ago
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has spent far too much of his NFL career answering questions about injuries.
The Detroit Lions cornerback had to do it again after leaving the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals with an arm injury. This time, the news was favorable. Testing revealed a contusion rather than structural damage, allowing Rakestraw to return for Detroit's next practice.
"It feels good to be back," Rakestraw said. "It was just a contusion, so I'm good. I'm out here at the next practice putting hands on people. It's just part of the game. I just have to stay healthy."
That final sentence carries extra weight for a player whose first two NFL seasons were largely defined by the time he could not spend on the field.
Rakestraw suffered the injury while attempting a low tackle against Cincinnati. Teammate Devin White arrived to help finish the play, and the resulting collision sent Rakestraw out of the game.
#next #good
The Detroit Lions cornerback had to do it again after leaving the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals with an arm injury. This time, the news was favorable. Testing revealed a contusion rather than structural damage, allowing Rakestraw to return for Detroit's next practice.
"It feels good to be back," Rakestraw said. "It was just a contusion, so I'm good. I'm out here at the next practice putting hands on people. It's just part of the game. I just have to stay healthy."
That final sentence carries extra weight for a player whose first two NFL seasons were largely defined by the time he could not spend on the field.
Rakestraw suffered the injury while attempting a low tackle against Cincinnati. Teammate Devin White arrived to help finish the play, and the resulting collision sent Rakestraw out of the game.
#next #good
8 days ago
Still looking for help for their undermanned secondary, the Detroit Lions worked out a former All-Pro cornerback who once led the NFL interceptions.
Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was one of eight players and the only defensive back who worked out for the Lions on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Diggs, 27, led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, when he made his first of two straight Pro Bowl appearances. He tore the ACL in his left knee in 2023 and has struggled to regain his All-Pro form the past two seasons.
The Lions have been juggling personnel in a secondary that lacks proven playmakers this summer.
Starting cornerback D.J. Reed has missed three straight practices with a groin injury and Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside took first-team reps in practice Sunday. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who's missed most of his first two seasons with injury, also has taken first-team reps at outside cornerback and in the slot this summer, while free agent addition Roger McCreary has had a slow start the camp.
#diggs #sunday #secondary
Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was one of eight players and the only defensive back who worked out for the Lions on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Diggs, 27, led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, when he made his first of two straight Pro Bowl appearances. He tore the ACL in his left knee in 2023 and has struggled to regain his All-Pro form the past two seasons.
The Lions have been juggling personnel in a secondary that lacks proven playmakers this summer.
Starting cornerback D.J. Reed has missed three straight practices with a groin injury and Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside took first-team reps in practice Sunday. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who's missed most of his first two seasons with injury, also has taken first-team reps at outside cornerback and in the slot this summer, while free agent addition Roger McCreary has had a slow start the camp.
#diggs #sunday #secondary
8 days ago
Still looking for help for their undermanned secondary, the Detroit Lions worked out a former All-Pro cornerback who once led the NFL interceptions.
Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was one of eight players and the only defensive back who worked out for the Lions on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Diggs, 27, led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, when he made his first of two straight Pro Bowl appearances. He tore the ACL in his left knee in 2023 and has struggled to regain his All-Pro form the past two seasons.
The Lions have been juggling personnel in a secondary that lacks proven playmakers this summer.
Starting cornerback D.J. Reed has missed three straight practices with a groin injury and Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside took first-team reps in practice Sunday. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who's missed most of his first two seasons with injury, also has taken first-team reps at outside cornerback and in the slot this summer, while free agent addition Roger McCreary has had a slow start the camp.
#secondary #straight
Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was one of eight players and the only defensive back who worked out for the Lions on Sunday, Aug. 9.
Diggs, 27, led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, when he made his first of two straight Pro Bowl appearances. He tore the ACL in his left knee in 2023 and has struggled to regain his All-Pro form the past two seasons.
The Lions have been juggling personnel in a secondary that lacks proven playmakers this summer.
Starting cornerback D.J. Reed has missed three straight practices with a groin injury and Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside took first-team reps in practice Sunday. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who's missed most of his first two seasons with injury, also has taken first-team reps at outside cornerback and in the slot this summer, while free agent addition Roger McCreary has had a slow start the camp.
#secondary #straight
9 days ago
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is looking to make his mark in the NFL as he enters his third season with the Detroit Lions. With the release of Terrion Arnold over the summer, there is an opening for Rakestraw at the outside cornerback position.
Rakestraw missed the entire 2025 Lions season due to shoulder surgery. He missed about half of the 2024 season due to multiple hamstring strains. Staying healthy is one his priorities for 2026.
Recently, Rakestraw spoke to the media after a training camp practice.
"Everybody preaching to me, 'Please stay healthy. We're going to need you.' So, that's what I'm trying to do. Stay healthy," Rakestraw said.
"I changed my mind from thinking long-term, I'm on short-term now," he said. "The long-term will eventually pick up, but right now healthy today, pray thank God, fix what I need to fix (from the practice tape), tomorrow.
#season #term #lions #long
Rakestraw missed the entire 2025 Lions season due to shoulder surgery. He missed about half of the 2024 season due to multiple hamstring strains. Staying healthy is one his priorities for 2026.
Recently, Rakestraw spoke to the media after a training camp practice.
"Everybody preaching to me, 'Please stay healthy. We're going to need you.' So, that's what I'm trying to do. Stay healthy," Rakestraw said.
"I changed my mind from thinking long-term, I'm on short-term now," he said. "The long-term will eventually pick up, but right now healthy today, pray thank God, fix what I need to fix (from the practice tape), tomorrow.
#season #term #lions #long
13 days ago
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is no longer talking about potential.
He is talking about responsibility.
The Detroit Lions cornerback entered the NFL as a second-round pick with the confidence and physical style to become a long-term piece of the secondary. Two injury-disrupted seasons later, Rakestraw understands that patience is beginning to run thin.
"I'm eager because a lot of things have happened off the field," Rakestraw said following Tuesday's training camp practice. "I have to step up in a big way this year.
"I have to do it for my last name and for the Lions' name."
#rakestraw #lions #cornerback
He is talking about responsibility.
The Detroit Lions cornerback entered the NFL as a second-round pick with the confidence and physical style to become a long-term piece of the secondary. Two injury-disrupted seasons later, Rakestraw understands that patience is beginning to run thin.
"I'm eager because a lot of things have happened off the field," Rakestraw said following Tuesday's training camp practice. "I have to step up in a big way this year.
"I have to do it for my last name and for the Lions' name."
#rakestraw #lions #cornerback
21 days ago
On Sunday, we discussed the potential of the 2026 Detroit Lions offense. Almost everyone agrees that it will be a top-10 unit in the NFL this season, and per the poll we ran on this site, 90 percent of our audience believes the Lions will have a top-five offense.
I'm guessing Lions fans will be a little less optimistic about the other side of the ball.
The Lions defense has been an issue for most years under Dan Campbell. While they've been able to add some blue chip players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch, the unit hasn't been able to put together a full season of strong play. Sometimes, it's been injuries. Other times, it feels like Detroit is being overcoached. Certainly the lack of a pass rush has been culpable at times. Regardless of the reasoning, the defense has regularly let the Lions down.
But could 2026 bring some extra hope? Detroit finally invested in their defensive line, and the players along that front are entering training camp healthier than ever. Additionally, Detroit has fortified their depth at linebacker and safety. And young players like Tyleik Williams, Jack Campbell, and Ennis Rakestraw could elevate their games and jump in their development.
That said, there are huge questions about health and starters in the secondary, and Detroit still needs to show they can account and adjust to the losses of DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Alex Anzalone, and Amik Robertson. And defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has a lot to prove in his second season at that position.
#detroit #players #offense
I'm guessing Lions fans will be a little less optimistic about the other side of the ball.
The Lions defense has been an issue for most years under Dan Campbell. While they've been able to add some blue chip players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch, the unit hasn't been able to put together a full season of strong play. Sometimes, it's been injuries. Other times, it feels like Detroit is being overcoached. Certainly the lack of a pass rush has been culpable at times. Regardless of the reasoning, the defense has regularly let the Lions down.
But could 2026 bring some extra hope? Detroit finally invested in their defensive line, and the players along that front are entering training camp healthier than ever. Additionally, Detroit has fortified their depth at linebacker and safety. And young players like Tyleik Williams, Jack Campbell, and Ennis Rakestraw could elevate their games and jump in their development.
That said, there are huge questions about health and starters in the secondary, and Detroit still needs to show they can account and adjust to the losses of DJ Reader, Roy Lopez, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Alex Anzalone, and Amik Robertson. And defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has a lot to prove in his second season at that position.
#detroit #players #offense
25 days ago
The Detroit Lions have no shortage of intriguing position battles heading into training camp, but few are more important than determining who will start opposite D.J. Reed when the regular season kicks off.
What looked like a settled position just a few months ago was thrown into complete uncertainty when former first-round pick Terrion Arnold was released in June following his arrest on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.
Now, one of the most wide-open competitions on Detroit's roster is underway.
During organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and veteran Rock Ya-Sin each received opportunities with the first-team defense.
However, head coach Dan Campbell was quick to caution against reading too much into those early rotations.
#detroit #lions #arnold #june
What looked like a settled position just a few months ago was thrown into complete uncertainty when former first-round pick Terrion Arnold was released in June following his arrest on charges of armed robbery and kidnapping.
Now, one of the most wide-open competitions on Detroit's roster is underway.
During organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and veteran Rock Ya-Sin each received opportunities with the first-team defense.
However, head coach Dan Campbell was quick to caution against reading too much into those early rotations.
#detroit #lions #arnold #june
1 month ago
In two weeks, the Detroit Lions' rookies will report to training camp.
From there, veterans will report just three days later and then the Lions will be off and running with their 2026 training camp from the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, Mich.
As training camp nears closer, ESPN is making some of its final predictions for the 2026 NFL season. ESPN's Ben Solak picked a breakout candidate for all 32 NFL teams.
The Lions' projected breakout candidate comes at a position of great need. Solak picked cornerback Roger McCreary as his breakout candidate in Detroit.
Tons of cornerback snaps were already up for grabs in Detroit before Terrion Arnold was cut following his arrest in Florida on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. Now, starting jobs are available in both the slot and on the outside. The contenders for the jobs: Rock Ya-Sin, Keith Abney II, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and McCreary.
From there, veterans will report just three days later and then the Lions will be off and running with their 2026 training camp from the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, Mich.
As training camp nears closer, ESPN is making some of its final predictions for the 2026 NFL season. ESPN's Ben Solak picked a breakout candidate for all 32 NFL teams.
The Lions' projected breakout candidate comes at a position of great need. Solak picked cornerback Roger McCreary as his breakout candidate in Detroit.
Tons of cornerback snaps were already up for grabs in Detroit before Terrion Arnold was cut following his arrest in Florida on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. Now, starting jobs are available in both the slot and on the outside. The contenders for the jobs: Rock Ya-Sin, Keith Abney II, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and McCreary.
