Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw suffered another blow to his NFL career, leaving practice early on Thursday after a non-contact lower leg injury. He was able to walk off the field under his own power, but the team is currently evaluating the injury, and you have to wonder what this means for his already tough run in the league.
Another Injury Adds to Rakestraw’s Troublesome Track Record
This isn’t Rakestraw’s first rodeo with the injury bug. The guy has battled injuries for most of his time in the NFL, which is just brutal luck for a second-round pick from the 2024 draft. As a rookie, he only suited up for eight games, sidelined by hamstring and core muscle issues. That was tough enough, but it got even worse: Rakestraw missed the *entire* 2025 season after getting hit with a preseason shoulder injury. Now, another lower leg issue, and it was non-contact, which is always extra worrisome. You just hate to see a young player go through this.
Lions’ Cornerback Plans Are Getting Messy
It’s no secret the Lions have been trying to figure out their cornerback situation, and it just keeps getting harder. Rakestraw was a high pick, and they obviously had big plans for him. But his consistent injury issues have thrown a wrench into everything. Plus, remember Terrion Arnold? He was also a first-round pick in the 2024 draft, picked by the Lions alongside Rakestraw. Well, he was released this offseason, which tells you everything you need to know about how those plans have panned out. The source even says it flat out: “their plans to fill out the cornerback spot have not gone as hoped.” You don’t say?
What happens next for Rakestraw and the Lions? They’re waiting on that evaluation for his leg, and everyone will be holding their breath. This team has some serious questions to answer in that secondary, and this latest news just makes things even more uncertain as the regular season gets closer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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