Lions defense cannot shake injury bug as it bites two more players

As the Detroit Lions ramp back up to using pads during practice, it appears that they might need to consider trading those in for some bubble wrap and Advil as another day of training camp has led to two injuries to two key defenders for the Lions.

Both CB Terrion Arnold and LB Derrick Barnes reportedly left practice early on Thursday due to injuries - a leg injury for Arnold and a hand injury for Barnes, according to multiple Lions beat reporters on the ground covering training camp.

It's unfortunate timing after Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard had just finished kicking off Thursday's training camp reps by singing the defense's praises, and specifically singling out Arnold as a player that he's seen some major growth from - both physically and mentally.

We don't yet know the severity of these injuries, but it's becoming quickly obvious that the Lions are going to need to reconsider just how intense they want to maintain their practices when pads go on.

If they're already seeing key defenders like Arnold and Barnes go down with injuries as a result of just how hard training camp is seeming, the team will have to think of their future before considering the conditioning benefits of training camp for certain players.

Lions cannot catch a break from injury bug

Arnold and Barnes aren't even the most significant defenders who have caught a major injury bug so far this training camp. Levi Onwuzurike has already been ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, Malcolm Rodriguez isn't anticipated back from his torn ACL until at least October, and Ennis Rakestraw suffered a chest injury during one of the Lions' first practices.

Additionally, Roy Lopez and Brodric Martin have been dealing with injuries suffered in practice, but are considered more day to day than players like Rodriguez, of course. Alim McNeill is another big name still out with an injury, and he's also not anticipated back until a few more weeks through the season.

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Injuries are basically the only thing that can hold this team back - we saw that be the case last season, as the Lions witnessed their likely best path to a Super Bowl completely shut off thanks to major injuries to Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis III, and Khalil Dorsey throughout the year. It was just too much for the team to overcome, ultimately.

We should hope that they don't repeat that same luck and fate this season.

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