ALLEN PARK — If Terrion Arnold gets his way, Sunday was the start of a trend.
The [Detroit Lions](https://www.detroitnews.com/sports/lions/) cornerback finally hauled in his first career interception, [snatching the ball away from wide receiver Jalen Nailor](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/11/02/watch-lions-cb-terrion-arnold-picks-off-vikings-j-j-mccarthy-for-first-interception/87053294007/) in the second quarter of a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Nailor attempted to pin the pass to his hip. Arnold took advantage, securing possession as the two tumbled to the turf at Ford Field.
“They come in bunches, as we like to say,” defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend said Friday, explaining how one takeaway could open the floodgates for more. “(Arnold has) had a couple that a couple guys have taken away from him, Kerby (Joseph) plucked one out of the air from him (earlier this season). It’s well due for him to finally get his first one.”
More encouraging than this singular play was Arnold’s overall performance against the Vikings. He was targeted five times and surrendered only two completions for 31 yards, and he broke up a pass near the goal line intended for Justin Jefferson.
His coverage grade from Pro Football Focus (67.6) was his highest of the season so far.
“It was good to see the coverage aspect,” head coach Dan Campbell said of Arnold’s first outing back from a shoulder injury that forced him to miss two games. “That was good, that was encouraging. I thought he played with confidence, I thought he challenged. I thought he was … playing the ball in the air, going after the football. Covering the man, playing the football, playing sticky coverage, challenging. … That aspect of it was good.”
Also of note: Arnold wasn’t whistled for a penalty, which defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard recognized.
“I absolutely see growth with the player, in Terrion, absolutely,” Sheppard said. “In pass coverage, it’s been outstanding. He’s cleaned up some of the stuff at the top of the route, and Deshea’s done an excellent job developing that player.”
Arnold did struggle in run support, missing a career-worst three tackles. It was a bit uncharacteristic for a player who typically has no issues with being physical. When he was struggling in coverage earlier this season, defending the run was a portion of his game Arnold could consistently hang his hat on. Arnold only had one missed tackle this season before the Vikings game. He had five missed tackles during his rookie campaign in 2024.
“The part of TA’s game I need to see improve is the run game and run support. It’s unacceptable right now, and he knows that,” Sheppard said. “I learned this from Aaron Glenn, one of my mentors: The identity of your defense shows up when your corner’s at the point of attack in the run game. If you really want to preach you’re a tough defense, you’re a physical outfit, show me your corners when they’re called upon in run support. …
“If you want to be on the field, you have to be good in that area. We don’t believe in cover guys. Now, obviously, that’s a part of your job as a defensive back, but we don’t believe in that here. Our identity as a defense is tough, physical, violent mentality, and that has to show up in all aspects of the game.”
Still, Arnold’s progression is promising, and he certainly appears to be on the upswing. It also won’t hurt if he continues to stack those interceptions, which he intends to do.
“That’s a part of our job description, is to get the ball back to the offense,” Townsend said. “He had his opportunity to help us in that way, and that’s always big. How many times can you get the ball? It’s better for all of us.”