Detroit Brings Back Khalil Dorsey to Strengthen Depth and Special Teams

The Detroit Lions are doubling down on defensive depth and special teams strength, securing the return of cornerback Khalil Dorsey. His re-signing comes shortly after the team bolstered its secondary with veteran free agent Rock Ya-Sin.

A Reliable Presence in the Secondary and Special Teams

Dorsey, 26, has carved out a role in Detroit after previous stops with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants. While his defensive contributions have been steady, his real value lies in special teams, where he has been a crucial asset.

During the 2023 season, Dorsey played 248 special teams snaps across 13 games, setting a career-high with 272 special teams snaps. He also logged 73 defensive snaps, contributing 14 tackles, two pass breakups, and four kick returns for 159 yards.

Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to a severe ankle injury suffered in a Week 15 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year.

Deepening the Lions’ Secondary

With Dorsey back in the fold, Detroit now has a crowded cornerback room featuring a mix of proven veterans and rising talent. The Lions currently have seven cornerbacks under contract, including new acquisition D.J. Reed and promising young defenders like Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Amik Robertson, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver.

By securing both Dorsey and Ya-Sin, the Lions are ensuring their secondary remains competitive while also solidifying special teams—an often-overlooked but crucial phase of the game.