The Detroit Lions didn’t just lose on the scoreboard Sunday; they also lost a key defender in cornerback Terrion Arnold, who exited after the first half with a groin injury.
Arnold said the issue popped up during Detroit’s second defensive series, but he tried to tough it out until halftime before the team shut him down. He’ll undergo further testing once the Lions return home, though he’s optimistic it’s nothing long-term.
“It’s one of those things where I think it’s tolerable and I can play through it,” Arnold explained to Justin Rogers of the Detroit Football Network.
Terrion Arnold Detroit Lions Detroit Lions Week 1 Opponent Terrion Arnold keeping receipts Terrion Arnold Packers Terrion Arnold injury Lions
Playing Hurt, Owning the Results
Arnold admitted the groin strain was most noticeable on a costly sequence in the second quarter. First, he got beat on a 48-yard pass, then surrendered a 17-yard touchdown just one play later.
Still, he refused to blame the injury.
“One thing about me, if I’m out there, I’m out there,” Arnold said. “I’ll never sit there and say, ‘I wish I could have made that play, but my groin.’ Nah. If I’m out there, I’m out there, and I’m going to own it. It’s one of those things where you get back to the drawing board, and I have to get in the training room.”
That accountability is exactly why coaches and teammates are high on the second-year corner.
Signs of Growth Despite the Loss
Before leaving, Arnold flashed the kind of player he’s becoming. He forced two incompletions with physical coverage, the type of plays that probably would’ve drawn flags a year ago.
This time? No laundry on the field. And Arnold thinks that’s no accident.
“When you go look back at those plays, (it’s) me turning my head, me trusting my teammates, trusting my leverage,” Arnold said. “Now, I’m a whole different player.”
The Bottom Line
The Lions will be holding their breath until testing confirms Arnold’s status, but his comments suggest this won’t be a long-term setback. In the meantime, his willingness to take ownership, even when banged up, shows exactly why he’s expected to be a cornerstone of Detroit’s secondary moving forward.