The Kansas City Chiefs have their hands full with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football in Week 5, but for those looking ahead a bit on the regular-season schedule, there's some breaking news that will affect the team's next opponent in a major way.
The Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 6 for a Sunday Night Football showdown featuring a top contender from each conference. However, Patrick Mahomes and company will have an easier time in the passing game with the latest injury news out of Detroit.
The Lions have lost two players in the secondary coming out of their Week 5 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Cornerback Terrion Arnold will join fellow corner D.J. Reed on the injured list. Arnold, who was the team's former first-round pick in 2024, will be out with a shoulder issue, while Reed is dealing with a hamstring.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell took questions from reporters and had high praise for Arnold's performance against the Bengals in a 37-24 victory before explaining the extended timetable for his recovery.
The Lions secondary is ailing at the wrong time, just days before visiting Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
"Unfortunately, he's going to be out for a while. He's going to be out for a long time," said Campbell. When asked if Arnold would miss the rest of the season, he admitted, "I don't know that but it will be a while.
The Lions had already placed Reed, who was also a starter, on injured reserve in the last week, which coupled with the loss of Ennis Rakestraw to start the year, put Detroit in a major bind in the secondary. Another injury to Khalil Dorsey complicates the matter, and now the Lions are forced to rely on spare parts and recent acquisitions.
Looking ahead to Week 6, Mahomes should like his chances attacking downfield in a secondary stripped of its top weapons. They already eviscerated a depleted Baltimore Ravens defense in Week 4, and Detroit gives them a similar profile—at least on the back end of the defense.
The Lions are likely to make another move or two in the secondary to shore up the unit, but Tre Flowers was already brought in to team with Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin. The Lions also have Avonte Maddox on the roster with Erick Hallett and Nick Whiteside on the practice squad.
The Lions are scheduled to visit the Chiefs on Sunday, October 12 at 7:20 p.m. CT.