The longterm injury bug continues to bite the Detroit Lions, this time being the 2nd year nickel-back Ennis Rackestraw. The former 2nd round pick was sidelined all last year with lingering hamstring injury. Rakestraw was having a strong preseason last year and Detroit was ready for him to showcase the talent he was beginning to display last summer. Coming out of college was known as a tough corner that utilized his physicality to jam and disrupt receivers release off the line of scrimmage. He is willing run supporter at the point of attack. But after returning from a chest injury in camp this year, he was placed on the IR with a season-ending shoulder injury.

The Lions entered camp with the secondary being debatably their strongest position group. They went out and added a top 10 cornerback in the offseason in DJ Reed, as well as veterans Avonte Maddox and Rock Ya Sin. Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson are returning starters who will be coming back a little more seasoned in a defense that had it’s fair share of struggles last year.

Impact

Maddox and Rock Ya Sin were looked as depth pieces, who have the versatility to play all over the secondary, but they will likely have more defined roles as they may be asked to  cover more of the nickel reps with Rackestraw down for the year. His absence also opens up opportunities for un-drafted talents Eric Bootle and Nick Whiteside to get more reps with the hopes of cracking the opening game roster. The Lions speedy corner Khalil Dorsey is still recovering from a fracture of his fibia and tibula that he suffered late in the season last year.

Message from Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. after his season-ending shoulder surgery. Tough break for Detroit’s 2024 second-round pick, who hasn’t been able to stay healthy two years in. pic.twitter.com/I7dk88RUQ9

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 7, 2025

The initial drafting of Rakestraw was scrutinized in the very beginning. He was drafted just a round after Detroit used their first round selection to grab Terrion Arnold. After just one season Rakestraw was already labeled a bust to some and with him missing another year of work, the chatter is even more profound. The Lions still have a very deep group, and Rakestraw was merely a fringe starter at best, but this was a Lions team that went into the final game of their season without their top 3 nickel options, including their CB1 so depth is a key.