The Detroit Lions continued their hot start to the season with a 34–10 rout of the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, but not everything went right for head coach Dan Campbell’s squad. Cornerback D.J. Reed left the game in the fourth quarter after suffering what appeared to be a hamstring injury, casting a shadow over an otherwise dominant afternoon. The team now waits for MRI results that will determine the next steps in Reed’s recovery.
Best-Case Scenario: A Quick Return
Medical expert Dr. Jimmy Liao, who regularly analyzes injuries around the league and has provided detailed insight into the Lions’ roster in the past, offered perspective on Reed’s situation. According to Liao, the most optimistic outcome would be a Grade 1 or Grade 2 hamstring strain. These types of injuries typically carry a recovery timeline of anywhere between two to five weeks, depending on where the damage occurred.
If the strain is located in the muscle belly, recovery can be smoother. However, if the injury is closer to the tendon, it often takes longer to fully heal. Either way, this best-case diagnosis would still give Reed a path back onto the field before midseason, which would be critical for a Lions team with high expectations.
Worst-Case Scenario: Season Over
The more concerning outcome—though Dr. Liao stressed it is less likely—would be a full rupture that requires surgery. In recent years, players such as Dak Prescott and Michael Badgley have dealt with this type of setback, which immediately ended their seasons. If Reed’s MRI reveals a similar situation, the Lions would lose one of their starting cornerbacks for the remainder of 2025.
Why This Matters for Detroit
The timing of Reed’s injury is especially troubling given the team’s current depth challenges. Rookie Terrion Arnold is also dealing with a knock, leaving Detroit’s cornerback room thin just four weeks into the campaign. With a tough stretch of games ahead, Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn may have to shuffle personnel or lean on younger, less experienced players to step up in critical matchups.
After Sunday’s win, Campbell admitted he doesn’t expect Reed to be available for the upcoming week, signaling that Detroit may need to make adjustments sooner rather than later. For fans, it’s now a waiting game—hoping Reed’s MRI points toward a manageable strain rather than a devastating season-ending blow.
The Lions may have secured an emphatic win, but Reed’s injury reminds everyone how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL.
