The Detroit Lions came close to landing a much-needed veteran cornerback, but their plans were derailed when the New Orleans Saints swooped in at the last moment.
After a string of injuries in their secondary — including setbacks to D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Khalil Dorsey — the Lions have been actively searching for reinforcements. Their latest target was veteran defensive back Michael Davis, a seasoned corner with years of NFL experience. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Detroit made a serious push to sign Davis to bolster their depth. However, the Saints, who had initially planned to bring Davis onto their practice squad, changed course and offered him a coveted spot on their 53-man active roster — a move that sealed the deal.
Garafolo explained Davis’ decision to choose New Orleans over Detroit came down to “familiarity with Brandon Staley and his defense.” Staley, now the Saints’ defensive coordinator, previously served as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, where Davis spent seven seasons. The preexisting relationship and system familiarity made New Orleans a natural fit for the 30-year-old corner.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Davis brings a solid résumé with 76 career starts and a reputation for physical coverage and reliable tackling. After spending his entire career with the Chargers, he played with the Washington Commanders in 2024, appearing in 15 games with two starts. Despite his experience, he remained a free agent throughout the offseason until the Saints came calling.
For the Lions, missing out on Davis is a setback as they continue to deal with injuries in the secondary. The silver lining is that Terrion Arnold’s shoulder injury, once feared to be season-ending, may not be as serious as initially thought. Reports suggest that after a second medical opinion, Arnold could avoid surgery and potentially return to action within a month.
Still, Detroit’s front office and coaching staff will likely remain on the lookout for additional help in the cornerback room. With the team’s defensive depth being tested early in the season, the Lions may host more workouts and free-agent visits in the coming days. However, as of Tuesday, no new signings have been made — leaving Detroit’s cornerback situation an ongoing concern heading into Week 6.
