DETROIT -- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard made one thing abundantly clear when speaking to reporters Thursday: he’s not in the excuse-making business.
During Sunday’s 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, cornerback Terrion Arnold sustained a groin injury, leaving the game for good in the third quarter. The second-year defender later said the injury occurred on the Packers’ second drive, which ended in a field goal. While Arnold insisted the injury didn’t affect him, he was in coverage on two consecutive plays during Green Bay’s next drive that led to a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.
Asked if Arnold’s injury played a role in the coverage breakdown, Sheppard’s response was blunt.
“If you’re injured, come out of the game. We’re not making any excuses,” Sheppard said. “No, no, no -- we’re not making any excuses. Just like if I have a play call I shouldn’t have called, that’s on me. A player has a job to do; that’s on them. We all earn our paycheck. There won’t be any free rides this year. We all come to the stadium with a job to do. Do your job. Point blank period.”
On the first of those two plays, Packers quarterback Jordan Love hit Romeo Doubs for a 48-yard gain over the middle with both Arnold and veteran cornerback D.J. Reed in coverage. On the very next snap, Love found former Michigan State standout Jayden Reed for a 17-yard touchdown on a pick play. Reed beat Arnold on the route, but the cornerback appeared a step slow, possibly due to the injury.
Sheppard said Arnold can improve on that type of play by learning from past mistakes.
“By learning from previous mistakes,” Sheppard said. “You (reporters) have been around here -- we got the exact same play at San Francisco last year. Turn it on to (Ricky) Pearsall. Learn from your mistakes, you’re a professional.”
To Arnold’s credit, he didn’t make excuses either when speaking with reporters after the loss.
“One thing about me, if I’m out there, I’m out there,” Arnold said. “I never sit up there and say, ‘man, I wish I could have made that play, but my groin.’ Nah. I’m out there, I’m out there, and own it. It’s one of those things where you get back to the drawing board, and I got to get with the trainer.”
Earlier in the week, Lions coach Dan Campbell said he didn’t know the severity of Arnold’s injury. But all signs point to progress, as Arnold was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.
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