Detroit Lions provide injury updates on several key defenders

The Detroit Lions have been bitten by the injury bug big time in recent weeks, with several key players on both sides of the ball sidelined. However, head coach Dan Campbell provided plenty of positive injury updates on Tuesday.

On the defensive side of the ball, Campbell revealed that cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. would return to practice on Tuesday. Veteran cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson both returned to limited sessions, and fellow corner Terrion Arnold may return to practice next week.

After not having him all offseason as he works his way back from a torn quadriceps injury suffered during the 2023 season, Campbell says the Lions are hoping to get defensive lineman DJ Reader back at practice next week, also.

"No real timetable, but I'm feeling good," Reader said Monday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press . "I'm feeling good about where I'm at in rehab and running around a little bit. So I'm excited about where I'm at. I don't necessarily have like a day or exactly when (I'll be back), but I'm feeling good though."

In addition to those five players, backup linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez may also get back to work next week.

Davis and Arnold are expected to start on the boundary, while Robertson will likely be the one who works out of the slot with Brian Branch moving to safety . Rakestraw figures to be the first man off the bench at cornerback.

Assuming he can stay healthy and return to form, Reader, who was signed in free agency, has the potential to form an elite duo on the interior of the Lions' defensive line with Alim McNeill, who is coming off a breakout campaign.

It has been a rough few weeks for the Lions with injuries, but thankfully it looks like everyone is trending in the right direction to be ready for Week 1.