ALLEN PARK -- D.J. Reed has been activated from injured reserve and appears set to make his return for the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Lions also removed Reed, who was questionable, from the game designations, meaning he should be good to go against the New York Giants. Reed has been out since Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns when he suffered a hamstring injury.
Reed is a major boost to a defense and secondary already playing pretty well. He was the team’s biggest free-agent addition in the previous offseason, and was playing as advertised.
Pro Football Focus still has Reed ranked 20th overall among cornerbacks. His passer rating allowed in coverage (61.3) still ranks as the eighth best in the league. Reed has allowed 11 catches across 18 targets with no touchdowns.
It’ll be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard balances his cornerback rotation. Reed is the team’s top cornerback. But Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin have proven deserving of playing time. Robertson could fill in snaps back in the slot, with a proven the ability to bounce around.
The Lions have been using Arthur Maulet in their nickel looks while Reed and fellow outside cornerback Terrion Arnold have been hurt.
Robertson was great against Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith last week, not allowing a catch on 15 routes and three targets, with two pass deflections. Ya-Sin was all over A.J. Brown last week, as well. Ya-Sin logged 19.4 seconds in tight coverage on Brown, the second-most the receiver has faced in his career, per NFL Pro’s insights.
“But then when you start to look over your shoulder, ‘Oh wow. That guy played like that?’ A guy like Rock Ya-Sin,” Sheppard said. “Should we just pull him off the field? And that’s something I asked the whole DB room, ‘Ya’ll tell me if you were doing what he’s done, should we just snatch him off the field?’”
The Lions also activated cornerback Khalil Dorsey from injured reserve, removing him from the game designations in the process. Dorsey provides another boost to the special teams unit, with linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez expected to return.
To make room for Reed and Dorsey, the Lions waived defensive back Erick Hallett and linebacker Ty Summers. Hallett has been a healthy scratch the last couple of weeks, and Summers’ departure signals that Rodriguez is expected to return. Rodriguez has been out since suffering an ACL injury last November. He’s been at practice for the last three weeks, and was activated earlier this week.
And with Sam LaPorta expected to miss the rest of the season after back surgery, they elevated veteran tight end Anthony Firkser from the practice squad. Detroit’s offense heavily relied on Brock Wright last week, using Ross Dwelley for only one snap.
Firkser spent time with the team in 2023, even seeing action in three playoff games. He didn’t get the call up last week, but joins Wright and Dwelley at tight end for the team’s return to Ford Field.
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