Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has confirmed that cornerback Ennis Rakestraw is facing another significant injury setback. Rakestraw, who was already nursing a series of injuries throughout his career, is now expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to a shoulder issue.
“It’s a shoulder,” Campbell stated. “I think it’s going to be a while. At best, I think it’s going to be a while.” Further evaluations are ongoing, preventing the team from providing a specific diagnosis or timeline for recovery.
Campbell expressed sympathy for Rakestraw, who has faced challenges since being selected as the Lions’ second-round pick in 2024. His NFL journey has been riddled with injuries, including an ankle issue that limited him to just one preseason game, a hamstring injury that cut his regular season short to eight games, and an earlier chest injury this training camp.
To bolster their defensive back depth in the wake of Rakestraw’s injury, the Lions have signed former Michigan Panthers cornerback D.J. Miller. He joins a group that includes Rock Ya-Sin, Dicaprio Bootle, Tyson Russell, and Nick Whiteside, providing essential support alongside starters Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Amik Robertson.
While this injury is undoubtedly a setback for Rakestraw, it underscores the importance of depth in an NFL roster, and the Lions are taking proactive measures to navigate these challenges. With a focus on rehabilitation, there is hope that Rakestraw can come back stronger in the future.