Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Lions Provide Brutal Update On Key Defensive Piece

Originally posted on NFL Analysis Network
By Kenneth Teape | Last updated 10/9/23

The Detroit Lions made some major strides during the 2022 season, which raised expectations this past offseason. Looking to continue their ascent, the team made an effort to upgrade their weaknesses on the roster, namely the defensive side of the ball.

The Lions were historically poor in 2022 when it came to slowing down their opponents. Teams moved the ball up and down the field with ease against Detroit and that is something they wanted to stop in 2023.

They have certainly made massive improvements defensively thus far this season. Through five games, the Lions rank 15th in points allowed and sixth in yardage. Last season, they were 28th and 32nd, respectively. That has helped them get out to a 4-1 start and sit atop the NFC North with a commanding early-season lead.

The secondary has improved their level of play but will need help to continue it. That is because one of their big free agent acquisitions, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, is heading back to the sidelines right as he returned to the lineup.

Moseley has been working his way back after tearing his left ACL last season with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. He made his Lions debut in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers and this time, tore his right ACL. Adam Schefter of ESPN provided the update.

In his first game back from the torn left ACL he suffered in Week 5 last year, Lions’ CB Emmanuel Moseley tore his right ACL in Week 5 this year vs. the Panthers, per source. Awful.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 9, 2023

It is a truly devastating loss. Moseley was just getting back onto the field and was expected to provide another boost to the team’s secondary. Now, they will be looking for someone to take his spot in the lineup as his season is over before it really began.

Moseley is the second free agent addition that the Lions lost from their secondary. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered a pectoral injury in Week 2 and there is some fear that his injury is of the season-ending variety as well.

This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: