The Detroit Lions just brought in free-agent cornerbacks Shaun Jolly and Eric Scott Jr. for workouts on Tuesday, a clear sign they are still scrambling to figure out their secondary depth. This move, reported via the NFL transaction wire, happens in the last week of training camp as teams are finalizing their rosters. It’s not a great look when you are still kicking tires on available players this late in August, especially when it comes to such a critical position. No immediate signings happened after these tryouts, but the fact these guys were even in Allen Park tells you everything you need to know about where Detroit’s cornerback group stands.
Shaun Jolly Brings Special Teams, But What Else?
Shaun Jolly, at 27 years old and 5-foot-9, is a former undrafted free agent from Appalachian State back in 2022. He’s been around, first with Cleveland, then picked up by the Los Angeles Rams from their practice squad. Jolly actually played in six regular-season games for the Rams in 2022 and 2023, but almost all that work was on special teams. That’s fine for a depth piece, sure, but the Lions need more than just special teams aces if they are trying to solve a real problem at cornerback. Back in college, Jolly was a ball-hawk, grabbing six interceptions and defending 25 passes, even earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors three times. He did get waived by the Rams with an injury designation last summer before an injury settlement. His special teams background could be huge for those final roster spots, but his pure cornerback impact remains a question mark.
Eric Scott Jr. Offers Size, But Has He Delivered?
Then there’s Eric Scott Jr., who brings a totally different vibe. This guy is a physical specimen, coming in at roughly 6-foot and 197 pounds. He’s got the size and explosiveness teams crave for an outside cornerback, which is why Dallas even traded up to draft him in the sixth round, No. 178 overall, in the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s a decent draft investment. Scott spent his rookie year with the Cowboys before getting cut in 2024. Kansas City then claimed him, and he even spent some time on their practice squad before an injury derailed his 2025 preseason. In his final year at Southern Miss, Scott picked off two passes and took both to the house for touchdowns. He finished his college career with five interceptions over three seasons. The potential is there, but consistency and health have been issues.
The Lions have been sifting through a crowded cornerback group all summer, and injuries definitely made things harder. Ennis Rakestraw Jr., for example, has dealt with multiple scares, including another ankle issue late in camp. Detroit started camp with a bunch of players battling for roles behind D.J. Reed. Look, Jolly and Scott aren’t suddenly locks for the 53-man roster just because they had a workout. But their visits absolutely show the Lions are still on the hunt for alternatives. When you are doing this in the final week of August, it means those initial evaluations aren’t exactly going as planned. Final cuts are coming fast, and Detroit clearly isn’t done sorting out their secondary.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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