Lions Dealing With Key Injuries Ahead of Cowboys Matchup; Familiar Faces Back on the Market
The Detroit Lions are staring down a big-time Thursday Night Football matchup against a loaded Dallas Cowboys squad featuring Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens. But as the lights get brighter, Detroit’s injury report is casting a shadow over Ford Field.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and safety Kerby Joseph are both dealing with injuries that could keep them sidelined for the primetime clash.
St. Brown, the heartbeat of Detroit’s passing game, has been Jared Goff’s go-to guy all season - a technician in the slot who brings toughness and elite route-running.
If he can’t go, the Lions will need a collective effort to fill the void, likely leaning more on rookie tight end Sam LaPorta and the backfield to pick up the slack.
On the other side of the ball, Joseph’s potential absence would be a significant blow to a secondary that’s already taken a hit. Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold is officially done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery - a tough break for a player who had shown flashes of why Detroit was so high on him in the draft.
With Arnold out and Joseph potentially unavailable, the Lions could be eyeing reinforcements in the defensive backfield. And one name that instantly jumps off the page? Darius Slay Jr.
According to reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Slay have mutually agreed to part ways. The veteran cornerback - who earned his nickname “Big Play Slay” during his seven-year run in Detroit - is looking to keep playing this season. At 34, he’s coming off a Super Bowl win with the Philadelphia Eagles and still brings veteran savvy, leadership, and playmaking ability to any locker room.
For Detroit, a potential reunion with Slay would be more than just a feel-good story. It could be a smart, timely move for a team looking to solidify its secondary during a playoff push.
Pairing Slay with D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson, and Rock Ya-Sin would give the Lions a deeper, more experienced cornerback rotation - something they’ll need when facing high-powered passing attacks like Dallas.
Elsewhere around the league, another former Lion is hitting the open market. Veteran offensive guard Laken Tomlinson, originally drafted by Detroit in the first round back in 2015, has been waived by the Houston Texans. The move was reportedly mutual, with Tomlinson now subject to waivers.
Tomlinson, who made history as the first Duke player drafted in the first round since 1987, was traded to the 49ers in 2017 and went on to have a solid career as a starting guard. While there’s no indication yet of a Detroit reunion, his availability adds another experienced lineman to the free-agent pool - something to monitor as teams deal with injuries and depth concerns down the stretch.
And in Arizona, former Lions running back Jermar Jefferson has been released. A seventh-round pick in 2021, Jefferson showed flashes of potential but never quite carved out a consistent role in Detroit’s crowded backfield. In three seasons, he logged just 21 carries for 96 yards, with injuries and roster depth keeping him off the field.
As the Lions prepare for a statement game against the Cowboys, the roster shuffle continues - both in Detroit and across the league. With playoff implications on the line and familiar faces available, don’t be surprised if the front office makes a move or two to bolster this team for the stretch run.