The Detroit Lions defense has been hobbled by injury for much of the 2025 campaign, particularly in the secondary, but some good news finally came down the pike in that regard on Saturday, November 22.
Detroit activated a pair of cornerbacks in D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants. Reed was on injured reserve (IR) since Week 4 with a hamstring injury, while Dorsey went on IR simultaneously with a wrist issue.
Fellow cornerback Terrion Arnold, who missed time in October with a shoulder injury, is out again with a concussion, so the additions of Reed and Dorsey are even more significant to the Lions’ last line of defense. Safety Kerby Joseph is also out with a knee injury after missing the entire week of practice.
Reed and Dorsey will both presumably start at the outside cornerback positions with Arnold out for the game.
Detroit also made a couple of other roster moves ahead of Sunday’s contest, including waiving linebacker Ty Summers and defensive back Erick Hallett to create the necessary space for Dorsey and Reed to return and moving tight end Anthony Firkser up to the active roster from the practice squad following a potentially season-ending injury to tight end Sam LaPorta.
Lions Have Been Model of Inconsistency Over Past 5 Games
GettyDetroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
The Lions are 6-4 on the season and have alternated losses and wins over their past five games (2-3) in what has been a model of inconsistency through the middle portion of the season.
Injuries have proven part of the Lions’ problem, while an increased strength of schedule has also been a factor. Detroit has bookended its last five outings with road defeats to the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, the two franchises that met in the most recent Super Bowl back in January.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties two weeks ago and led the offense to a 44-22 rout of the Washington Commanders, which came one game before Detroit mustered just nine points in a loss to the Eagles.
Lions Defense Faces Unique Challenge in Giants QB Jameis Winston
GettyQuarterback Jameis Winston of the New York Giants.
The good news for the Lions is that they are tied with the Baltimore Ravens as the biggest favorites of the week. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Detroit as 13.5-point favorites over the visiting Giants, who will start backup quarterback Jameis Winston in place of injured rookie Jaxson Dart.
Winston is a known gunslinger who is an ever-present threat to throw for, and often hit, downfield bombs. But despite his ability to make the explosive play, Winston also has a propensity for taking risks and throwing interceptions.
Over the course of his career, during which Winston has made 106 appearances and 88 starts, he has thrown for 154 TDs and 112 INTs. He completed 19-of-29 passes for 201 yards and an interception last week in a seven-point loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The returns of Reed and Dorsey come at an advantageous time for the Lions, who should be able to take advantage of Winston and a Giants team in flux after recently making a mid-season head-coaching change.
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