By Blessing 
Lions Urged to Consider Reunion With Former DB Jerry Jacobs
The Detroit Lions got encouraging news regarding rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, a second medical opinion revealed that Arnold’s shoulder injury isn’t season-ending. Even better, he may only need about a month to recover.
That positive update could ease the team’s urgency to add another cornerback. Still, if Arnold ends up on injured reserve, the Lions might revisit adding depth at the position — especially considering that Ennis Rakestraw, D.J. Reed, and Khalil Dorsey are also dealing with injuries.
Sports Illustrated’s Emmett Matasovsky recently highlighted seven external cornerback options Detroit could explore. Among them, one name stood out — former Lions defensive back Jerry Jacobs.
> “Jacobs is another veteran with experience in Detroit, playing during the first three years of the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell era,” wrote Matasovsky.
Jacobs was a key contributor during the Lions’ 2023 NFC Championship run, starting 12 games and recording three interceptions. However, he hasn’t played in a regular-season game since then.
> “He spent all of 2024 out of football, too. However, he has stayed in shape for football, as the Cowboys and Colts have each worked him out since June.”
That 2023 campaign marked Jacobs’ career high in starts. But after Week 14, his playing time dwindled, and he didn’t appear in any of Detroit’s playoff games. Since then, he’s had brief stints with the Los Angeles Rams, though he hasn’t played another NFL snap. The Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts brought him in for workouts this offseason but did not sign him.
Why the Lions Could Bring Jacobs Back
If Schefter’s report holds true, Arnold could return by Halloween, which lessens the team’s immediate need for a new cornerback. Still, if Detroit wants to bolster its depth, a familiar veteran like Jacobs makes sense — especially someone comfortable in Aaron Glenn’s defensive system.
Jacobs has 29 career starts, all in a Lions uniform, and has proven he can contribute when healthy. In 2023, he notched 55 tackles, eight pass breakups, three interceptions, and two tackles for loss in 15 games.
Matasovsky also listed C.J. Gardner-Johnson as another possible target, though he has since signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Other suggested names included DiCaprio Bootle, Cameron Dantzler, Melvin Smith Jr., Fabian Moreau, and Tre Hawkins.
With Arnold’s recovery trending positively, the Lions might hold off — but the door remains open for a Jerry Jacobs reunion if depth becomes a concern.