The Detroit Lions have been facing a challenging season, with injuries piling up, especially on defense. Despite a strong regular season, the Lions’ concerns intensified after their Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, where they not only lost the game but saw key players such as running back David Montgomery, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, and cornerback Khalil Dorsey suffer season-ending injuries. Cornerback Carlton Davis III also sustained a jaw injury, sidelining him for the foreseeable future.
The team has been decimated by injuries to their defense throughout the year, with six starting defenders from Week 1 already lost, including star player Aidan Hutchinson. With the secondary now severely depleted, including injured players like Dorsey and Davis, the Lions are looking for ways to shore up their cornerback depth. Additionally, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Ifeatu Melifonwu are on injured reserve, and while Melifonwu could return soon, his availability for Week 16 is uncertain.
This sets the stage for the Lions to pursue a cornerback who can help immediately, and they may have just received the perfect opportunity. Adam Schefter reported that the San Francisco 49ers waived cornerback Ambry Thomas on Tuesday, making him available for the Lions to sign ahead of the playoffs.
Thomas, a former Michigan standout and third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has been a reliable contributor to the 49ers’ top-tier defense. Over his three seasons, he has played in 42 games and started in 11, including four playoff appearances. However, after breaking his forearm before the season began, Thomas has yet to play in 2024 but is reportedly healthy and ready to return to action.
With several defensive backs banged up, the Lions will likely start Terrion Arnold and Kindle Vildor as cornerbacks against the Bears. Amik Robertson and Brian Branch could also shift roles, but these are temporary fixes. Signing a player like Thomas, with his postseason experience, could provide a much-needed boost to the Lions’ defense as they prepare for the playoffs.
