On Day 1 of Detroit’s training camp, second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. suffered a chest injury during an 11-on-11 drill. The 23-year-old Missouri product went to the ground, clutching his upper body, and was helped off the field by team medical staff .
Early reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed it to be a chest contusion, a far less concerning outcome than initially feared . Subsequent X-rays came back negative, and Coach Dan Campbell expects Rakestraw to miss only a few days of practice .
This is a blow to the linebacker corps depth picture. Rakestraw was expected to compete for a top backup spot on the outside after a rookie campaign hampered by injury. Thankfully, there’s no structural damage and the team believes he’ll recover quickly .
In his absence, veteran cornerback Rock Ya-Sin filled in with the second-team defense. With other corners also sidelined — such as Khalil Dorsey (on PUP) — Ya-Sin, along with Amik Robertson and Stantley Thomas-Oliver, will be essential for depth until Rakestraw returns .
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Takeaway: What looked like a dangerous hit is thankfully just a minor bump in the road. Rakestraw is expected to miss a few sessions but should be back soon, limiting the impact on Detroit’s secondary rotation.
Rakestraw Shaken, Not Stirred: Chest Contusion Sidelines Rookie CB in Early Camp
