The Detroit Lions walked away from Week 4 with a convincing win over the Cleveland Browns, but the victory came at a cost. Their secondary took a major hit, losing two starting cornerbacks late in the game. Veteran D.J. Reed was carted off with a hamstring injury, while rookie Terrion Arnold also exited after hurting his shoulder.
Head coach Dan Campbell later told reporters that Arnold’s issue isn’t expected to sideline him long-term — possibly just a week — but Reed’s situation is more concerning. The staff is considering placing him on injured reserve, though his season is not believed to be over.
That uncertainty has already sparked speculation that Detroit may explore trade options before the November 4 deadline. One intriguing name being floated: Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, several teams are monitoring Woolen, whose playing time has dipped with Devon Witherspoon returning to the lineup. Given that he’s in a contract year, Seattle could be open to moving him.
Campbell admitted on Monday that he plans to sit down with general manager Brad Holmes to evaluate whether help is needed at cornerback. “I think we would look for somebody for help,” Campbell said. “I haven’t talked to Brad yet about all of this, so we’ll discuss it. But we may need somebody at a minimum for practice reps.”
If Detroit makes a move for Woolen, the price might not be steep. The 2022 Pro Bowler had a breakout rookie season but hasn’t maintained that level of play. With his contract expiring after this season, he could be acquired for mid-to-late-round draft capital. A realistic package might involve a future sixth-rounder, making him a potential short-term rental.
The real question is whether Woolen would truly solve Detroit’s problems. Through four games in 2025, he’s surrendered 11 catches on 18 targets for 152 yards and a touchdown, while opponents are posting a 106.7 passer rating against him. His Pro Football Focus grade sits among the lowest for cornerbacks this year at 40.4.
Even with his upside, Woolen feels like a gamble. Detroit may prefer to weather Reed’s absence with in-house options rather than give up draft picks for an inconsistent player.
Still, Campbell reassured fans that Reed will be back later this season. “He’s going to be down for a while,” Campbell said. “But the good news is this is not a season-ender. We will get him back. He’s a stud.”
As for Arnold, Campbell suggested his return should come quickly: “If it’s not this week, it should be next week for sure.”
The Lions (3-1) now shift focus to their Week 5 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) next Sunday afternoon
