With Terrion Arnold likely out for a few weeks after suffering a scary shoulder injury in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Detroit Lions are down to two starting-caliber defensive backs in Rock Ya-Sin and Amik Robertson. Khalil Dorsey, who could've been turned to as a replacement for Arnold in the starting lineup, is also expected to be out for a while.
This leaves the Lions with three options - they can go out and sign a free agent cornerback, trade for one, or rely on a callup from the practice squad to fill the gap until they execute one of the first two things on that list.
The practice squad for Detroit features some names fans might recognize as standouts from the preseason, and they're the exact defensive backs the team should be looking to bring up to help out a secondary that has gone from one of the best in the NFL to one of the most at-risk.
3 practice squad standouts after Terrion Arnold news
Nick Whiteside
Whiteside was recently re-signed by the Lions to help out amidst D.J. Reed landing on the IR, and he provides a good depth option to the Lions as they head to Kansas City for their Chiefs game in Week 6. He finished up his preseason with Detroit with 11 tackles and two passes defended over four games prior to the regular season.
He could likely slot in nicely behind Ya-Sin the lineup headed into these next few games, especially since he's fairly familiar with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's schemes. What was a simple depth addition behind Reed has now become a key re-signing for Detroit.
READ MORE: Lions must make this trade call now after brutal Terrion Arnold update
Luq Barcoo
Barcoo finished up his 2025 preseason with the Lions with three total tackles and two pass breakups, and he was a standout in the preseason that Detroit didn't manage to retain on their practie squad. He could be worth bringing back to replace Whiteside on the PS, or even a callup if they're unable to sign anyone that's a starting-caliber CB prior to Week 6.
D.J. Miller
Miller, a former member of the UFL with the Michigan Panthers, could very well get a phone call from the Lions this week after the Arnold news. He was a standout in that developmental league, going for 17 tackles and two interceptions with the Panthers in addition to eight tackles in the postseason.
He didn't get much burn for the team in the preseason, finishing up with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, and two passes defended in two games played. But, he could be worth bringing back to the practice squad to add back depth there if the team adds Whiteside to the active roster.
The Lions can strike twice with UFL signings this year if this works out in their favor - once with sudden return specialist Jacob Saylors, and now, maybe, with Miller.