By Mummy Grace 
The Detroit Lions received a much-needed sigh of relief after a tense moment on the opening day of training camp. Rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, who is expected to be a major contributor in the secondary this season, suffered what initially looked like a potentially serious injury during drills. Fortunately, early evaluations revealed that Rakestraw avoided any major damage.
The injury occurred during a routine portion of practice when Rakestraw appeared to tweak something and was visibly in discomfort. Trainers quickly attended to him, and he was held out for the remainder of the session. While any injury this early in camp is concerning—especially for a young player trying to earn his spot—the good news is that it does not appear to be significant.
Rakestraw, a second-round pick out of Missouri, has been drawing praise for his physical play and high football IQ. He’s expected to compete for a starting role or, at the very least, see rotational snaps in a revamped Lions secondary that features a mix of veterans and young talent.
Detroit has high hopes for the rookie, and any setback could’ve disrupted those plans. But with no major injury reported, the team can breathe easier. Rakestraw may still be monitored closely in the coming days, but barring any surprises, he should remain on track for a full camp and preseason participation.
Given the Lions’ aspirations for a deep playoff run, keeping key pieces like Rakestraw healthy will be crucial—and on Day 1, they’ve already dodged a bullet.