It's been quite a journey for Emmanuel Moseley the last three seasons. A torn left ACL ended his 2022 season with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. Then two snaps into his Detroit Lions' debut in Week 5 last season, he tore his right ACL.
A torn pectoral in camp delayed the start to this season for Moseley. He made his season debut in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts, playing 15 special teams snaps. Then what was later revealed to be a hamstring injury in pregame warmups sidelined him for the Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears. He has been a healthy scratch in the two games since, with no explanation.
With Carlton Davis out indefinitely with a fractured jaw, Moseley feels like the "next man up" for the Lions at cornerback. With that in mind, head coach Dan Campbell was asked where Moseley is at health-wise on Friday.
"This is the best week he’s had since he’s come back from the injury,” Campbell said. “I just think he looks so much more comfortable, he’s moving around well, and it’s been really two great days for him.”
Before his first torn ACL, Moseley had a 73.5 Pro Football Focus coverage grade over his first five games in 2022. This year, that grade would be the 20th best coverage grade among cornerbacks. Expectations should not land on that level as he is lined up for a big role, but the skill set was there before the recent run of injuries.
Emmanuel Moseley wants to prove Lions were right to stick with him
Despite playing just those two aforementioned snaps last season, the Lions took a second one-year flier on Moseley in March. They also supported him through his training camp injury this year, and he talked about how much he appreciates the team's approach to his situation.
"It means a lot, to be honest, man. Because like you say, most people, they would’ve got rid of me, and it means a lot,” Moseley said, via Kory Woods of MLive. “It means that they believe in me; they see something in me. I’m just waiting for my moment to show them: ‘Thank you for believing in me, thank you for giving me another opportunity, thank you for trusting in me.’ I want to get on the field and show ‘em.”
Moseley told Woods he felt ready to play against the Packers and Bills, but what was at that point a healthy secondary led him being inactive.
"It was something that set me back during the Chicago game. But after that, I was pretty much good to go,” Moseley said. “I don’t know if it was a numbers thing or whatever, but like you said, I’m just waiting for my moment, trusting that I’m in the right spot, trusting my moment when it comes, and then going out there and doing what I got to do.”
The moment seems to be here for Moseley, and he may be called to take on a key role for the Lions at the most important time of the year.
