By Sunday 
Detroit Scrambling After Devastating Injury
The Detroit Lions are facing a serious dilemma in their secondary. After head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that cornerback Terrion Arnold suffered a significant shoulder injury that could keep him out “for a long time,” the team suddenly finds itself thin at one of the most important positions on the field.
Arnold, the talented 2024 first-round pick, had just started to find his rhythm this season before the setback. Now, Detroit’s defense — already dealing with multiple injuries at corner — may need to act fast before the NFL trade deadline.
Enter Rasul Douglas — A Proven Veteran Option
According to Mike Payton of A to Z Sports, one potential fix could come in the form of Rasul Douglas, currently with the Miami Dolphins. Payton’s proposed trade? Detroit sends a 2026 sixth-round pick to Miami in exchange for the 30-year-old veteran cornerback.
It’s a deal that makes a lot of sense. For the Lions, the price is low — a late-round pick for a player who’s started 83 NFL games and won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. For Miami, it’s a chance to shed salary and start retooling as their season teeters toward rebuild territory.
“The Dolphins are a week or two away, and maybe a loss or two, from plummeting into full rebuild mode,” Payton wrote. “What [Douglas] might like is the chance to come back to the NFC North and beat up on his former team, the Green Bay Packers, a little bit.”
A Solid Fit for Detroit’s Short-Term Needs
Douglas may not be a long-term fix — his contract runs through 2025 — but for now, he could be exactly what Detroit needs. With Arnold, D.J. Reed, Ennis Rakestraw, and Khalil Dorsey all battling injuries, Douglas brings experience, reliability, and immediate impact potential.
He’s logged 19 tackles and four pass defenses through five games this season, continuing his trend of steady, physical play on the outside. Last year with Buffalo, he recorded 58 tackles and five pass defenses across 15 starts.
Low Risk, High Reward
For a franchise eyeing a deep playoff run, spending a sixth-round pick to stabilize the secondary is a no-brainer. Douglas can step in right away, help mentor Detroit’s young corners, and provide the kind of veteran calm the team desperately needs.
And if Terrion Arnold manages to return before the end of the season or next year? Even better. Douglas has the flexibility to slide into a reserve or rotational role without missing a beat.
Final Thought
This isn’t about replacing Terrion Arnold — no one truly can. It’s about keeping Detroit’s defensive dream alive while their young star heals. Rasul Douglas might just be the perfect short-term fix for a team built on grit, depth, and next-man-up mentality.
Detroit’s message is clear: they’re not slowing down anytime soon.