Lions shake up cornerback depth for Week 12

The Lions’ cornerback depth chart will look different for Week 12. Veteran Emmanuel Moseley was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, while second-round rookie Ennis Rakestraw was moved to IR.

Moseley’s Lions debut in 2023 did not last long. An ACL tear – the second one he suffered in quick succession – shut him down for the remainder of that campaign. The 28-year-old nevertheless re-signed with Detroit this offseason, allowing him the chance to put together a healthy season. A torn pec suffered in August prevented that from happening, though.

That latest injury left Moseley on the sidelines for months, but two weeks ago he was designated for return. That move allowed him to resume practicing and opened his 21-day activation window. The timing of Saturday's move will allow the former UDFA to suit up as early as Sunday's game against the Colts. Moseley could occupy a depth corner role upon return, and expectations will be tempered given his missed time in recent years. A healthy finish to the season would be welcomed by team and player and it would allow Moseley to boost his free-agent stock for 2025.

Rakestraw was the second consecutive corner selected by the Lions in April. The draft’s hosts added Terrion Arnold on Day 1, and he has served as a full-time starter during his rookie season. Trade acquisition Carlton Davis and free agent pickup Amik Robertson have been regular presences in the secondary as well, limiting Rakestraw’s workload. The 22-year-old has only handled 42 defensive snaps to date, and his absence (which will last at least four games) will be softened by Moseley’s return to the fold.

Detroit ranks fifth in the NFL in defensive scoring, but the team has plenty of room for improvement against the pass (233 passing yards allowed per game, 27th in the league). Getting Moseley back will provide secondary depth for the second half of the campaign; his activation leaves the Lions with five on the year. One will be needed to bring Alex Anzalone back, but for now the linebacker added in the wake of his injury is set to make his Lions debut.

David Long has been elevated from the practice squad. Long joined Detroit’s taxi squad earlier this week, paving the way for the team to use him as a gameday elevation up to three times. The 28-year-old went unclaimed after being let go by the Dolphins, but the Anzalone injury gave him a path to playing time with the Lions. It will be interesting to see how large of a workload Long handles over the coming weeks on his new team.