The Detroit Lions are finally on the receiving end of a good injury update. Terrion Arnold, who was feared to have suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5, has received a much more positive second opinion that suggests he won't need surgery and won't be missing the entire year.
The update, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter and confirmed by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, now means that the Lions aren't going to be as hard pressed for cornerback help as previously expected. Detroit just went from needing to make a trade for a starting cornerback at the deadline to possibly being able to ride out Arnold's, and D.J. Reed's, injuries.
This is huge for both the team and Arnold. The second year defender was looking like one of the teams' best despite not generating any turnovers on the year. Without him on the field, the team is unable to lock down opposing teams' passers as easily. While he's obviously going to still miss time, the long term outlook on the Lions' Super Bowl chances is a lot brighter today than it was yesterday.
Arnold isn't expected to miss season: Schefter, Pelissero
Arnold had been nursing a shoulder injury for a few weeks, similarly to starting left tackle Taylor Decker. It was obviously exacerbated in the Lions' win over the Bengals, and he had to be carted off the field as a result of the injury - an ominous sign for any fan to pick up on.
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Arnold had also told reporters this weekend that he was not operating at 100 percent, further proving that he was playing a lot more hurt than previously thought. Arnold told 97.1 The Ticket:
"Right now, it’s hurting really, really bad. But I wouldn’t trade the world for anything to be out there with my teammates, so I’m gonna give my all to this team, whether it’s me going out there with a half a shoulder, hurting. At the end of the day I’m gonna go out there and sacrifice everything and lay it all on the line for my guys."
The Lions have to likely still elevate someone from their practice squad for Week 6 since Arnold clearly isn't going to be back for Sunday Night Football. But, they can probably press pause on any big swing trades or signings now with this update.