Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold revealed he received an encouraging message from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp after their Week 1 game.
The Detroit Lions invested heavily in their secondary during the NFL Draft, using their top two picks on cornerbacks.
However, the team may need to consider giving top pick Terrion Arnold a break after some early struggles with penalties and inconsistent performance, an analyst suggested.
Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports pointed out that Arnold has made critical mistakes in the first three games, recommending that the Lions give him some time on the bench.
“We’re not labeling him a bust, because he’s far from it. Nor are we suggesting Arnold should sit out for the season. It’s simply time for him to step aside briefly and gather himself,” Payton wrote.
“Arnold has only played three NFL games and already leads all defensive players in penalties. He also tops the league in pass interference calls. He’s played just three games, and he’s already been fined for a face mask. That’s not normal.”
Terrion Arnold’s Mistakes Cost the Lions
According to Payton, Arnold’s penalties have been particularly damaging. In their 26-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams, Arnold was flagged for pass interference twice in the end zone, resulting in 10 points for the Rams.
Arnold also committed a pass interference penalty against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that led to a field goal, along with a facemask penalty that put Tampa in Detroit’s territory, leading to a touchdown later in that drive.
Payton proposed that the Lions consider benching Arnold in favor of Kindle Vildor, allowing Arnold time to adjust to the NFL before returning to the starting lineup.
Others have also commented on Arnold’s early struggles this season. Zach Moran of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted after Week 2 that the rookie appeared to have trouble maintaining consistency.
“At the start of the game, Arnold was relatively quiet—typically a good thing for a cornerback—but as the game went on, things went downhill,” Moran wrote. “He was flagged twice for pass interference in the end zone, costly penalties that directly contributed to Rams’ points.
These types of mistakes put the defense in difficult spots, especially in a close game where every point matters.”
Injuries Could Strain the Secondary
The Lions may not have the flexibility to make significant changes in the secondary due to key injuries. Versatile defensive back Brian Branch sustained a neck injury during the team’s win over the Arizona Cardinals on September 22, placing him in concussion protocol.
As CBS Sports reported, there is some hope that Branch might play on Monday, as he was listed as limited in practice.
“The fact he was able to participate in a limited capacity early in the week suggests Branch has passed some of the concussion protocols, but he’ll need to continue progressing to be available for Monday’s game against the Seahawks,” the report noted. “Through the first three games, Branch has recorded 22 tackles (16 solo), seven passes defended, and one interception.”
