Ennis Rakestraw will not play in 2025. The second-year corner was already known to be a candidate to miss time, but the Lions placed him on injured reserve Thursday. 
Only players released via an injury settlement are eligible to play after being moved to IR at this point in the offseason. Given his status as a 2024 second-round pick, that will obviously not be the case for Rakestraw. After what was essentially a redshirt rookie season, this news is a major blow for team and player.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently said Rakestraw was going to miss time due to a shoulder injury. Surgery took place today, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz notes the procedure was a success. That is of course only a small consolation considering the fact Rakestraw’s rehab process will cost him the entire campaign.
The 23-year-old logged just 141 total snaps across eight games last season. A starting cornerback role was not in play since Detroit still has Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson in the fold and replaced Carlton Davis with D.J. Reed via free agency. Still, Rakestraw was in position to occupy a backup spot on the perimeter, so an injury to Arnold or Reed could have elevated him to first-team action. Now, the Lions’ secondary depth will be tested after the unit dealt with numerous injuries last season. Luq Barcoo and D.J. Miller were signed earlier this week.
Veteran Avonte Maddox represents an experienced option amongst the team’s remaining backups, although he is best suited for slot and/or safety duties. Rock Ya-Sin has spent his entire career as a corner, but the Lions have tried him at safety this offseason. In the wake of Rakestraw’s injury, it will be interesting to see that plan changes and Ya-Sin’s attention turns back to the cornerback position.
With nearly $48MM in cap space, Detroit can easily afford a one-year deal amongst the remaining free agents at the CB spot. Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas and Kendall Fuller are some of the veterans still looking for a gig at this point in the offseason. With a vacancy in the secondary, it will be interesting to see if the Lions pursue a contract with any member of that trio or another cover man on the market.
Cap space is more an issue than noted if you look at 2026 cap. They are deep in the red already so they need the current free cap for rollover for next year. So yes they have space for a low end signing, but the huge 2025 available number is a bit of a mirage
Don’t tell Lions fans they are at the end of their window. They don’t want to hear the truth. 😮💨
Of the corners listed as potential candidates I’d like Asante Samuel Jr. out of the three. Kendall Fuller is intriguing as his brother Corey played for the Lions a decade ago.
I’m a bit shocked he is still out there…..But apparently he has injury issues. Lost last year due to shoulder and just had neck surgery in March….Last I saw he was due for a checkup in July….but of couse its now august and no updates i can find….
Yet another rich pick from Holmes.
I’ll give this to him: he isn’t afraid to swing big. But he misses a fair amount of the time. Manu last year. Rakestraw. Teslaa for a stupid price this year.
Rakestraw’s a little different from those others. Rakestraw was taken at 61 and was 40 on the consensus big board.
When you get yourself into a position where the “experts” and the fans (sometimes one and the same) believe you’re Super Bowl caliber, you need to stop reaching for draft picks and free agents coming off an injury year.