Detroit Lions Must Address Glaring Issue of Weakened Secondary

Last year, the Lions boasted arguably the NFL’s top safety duo in Pro Bowl talents Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. But season-ending injuries to Branch and Terrion Arnold, along with the extended absence of Joseph at safety, severely depleted Detroit’s secondary. Now, Detroit’s injury-riddled secondary has become a weakness that must be addressed. 

Detroit Lions Must Address Glaring Issue of Weakened Secondary

The absence of this talented trio couldn’t come at a worse time for Detroit. According to PFF.com, over a recent four-game period, the Lions’ secondary allowed multiple 300-plus-yard passing games, with the most NFL receptions. 

An Injury-Depleted Secondary Sidelines Detroit’s Elite Starters

Now, without Branch, Joseph, and Arnold, the Lions must find a way to improve the play of the secondary. Charged with breaking up passes and tackling ball carriers, the secondary forms the last line of defense. 

Joseph’s pass protection is outstanding, and he led the league in 2024 with nine interceptions.  He was voted First-Team AP All-Pro. But it’s been a frustrating season for the All-Pro in 2025. Plagued with a lingering knee injury, he appeared in only six games, recording 18 tackles (14 solo), four pass defenses, and three interceptions.

Branch made the 2024 Pro Bowl with 109 tackles (73 solo), one sack, 16 PDFs, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. Through 12 games this season, he was on pace to match those numbers with 75 tackles (46 solo), 2.5 sacks, nine pass defenses, a forced fumble, and an opposing fumble recovery. His season ended in Week 14 with a torn Achilles tendon.

Fighting through hamstring, groin, and concussion injuries this season, Arnold was nonetheless off to a strong start in eight games with 31 tackles (23 solo), eight pass defenses, and one interception. A shoulder injury prematurely ended his season. 

Lions Struggle To Cover Loss of Elite Players

One thing we learned a year ago is that when one player goes down, it’s time for the next man to take his place and step up. Last season, the Lions’ resilient identity was forged in the steel that built the city of Detroit. In the wake of a catastrophic slew of injuries, Brad Holmes went to work, poaching players off NFL waiver wires. Somehow, out of that rag-tag group of Lions defenders, a staunch alliance formed, and the team kept winning.

But flash forward to this season, and the situation is different. Detroit is hemorrhaging from an onslaught of new injuries while facing one of the toughest schedules in the league. Holmes is doing his best to procure outside talent, but the cohesive alliance is missing. 

There is a decided lack of consistency from week to week as the team struggles to cover for injured starters. Understandably, the team has found it hard to cover the loss of all three starting players at the same time. But it’s also possible that it’s due to the nature of the position. Dan Campbell has stated that playing in the secondary is “an island and the player is all alone out there.” Without others nearby to offer support, one missed play can reap huge dividends for the opposition.  

Lions’ List Of Injuries Continues To Rise 

Veteran cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Amik Robertson took over as the designated starters, but now both players are dealing with their own injuries, making the situation even more dire. After a strong start this season, Reed missed seven weeks with a hamstring injury. However, since his return in Week 12, he’s struggled significantly. After giving up 302 yards on 18 receptions, Reed holds the NFL’s second-worst mark for cornerbacks in that time span.

In his second season with Detroit, Robertson is stepping up admirably with 45 tackles (39 solo), 12 PDFs, one interception, and two forced fumbles. However, after suffering a hand injury against the Los Angeles Rams, his availability for the Steelers game is uncertain.

Safety Thomas Harper has played well in relief of Joseph, but he recently suffered a concussion. Still in concussion protocol, Harper’s status is questionable for Sunday.