Michigan Sports

Injury problems may actually improve Lions’ secondary

DETROIT -- With training camp wrapping up on Thursday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he loves the versatility of the secondary.

“We feel like we have some guys who can swing between nickel, safety, corner. There are some candidates there,” Campbell said on Thursday.

“The more you feel like you can do with that room, the different skill sets, it gives you more options and it helps you on game day because now, OK, this player can play nickel, he can play safety, or he can play corner. Now we can take one less DB and bring an extra rusher or bring another receiver or whatever.”

Injuries to safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, who remain on the physically unable to perform list, opened up the competition. Neither is expected back to start the season.

Campbell said Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark have earned starts at safety.

“They’ve proven that, they’ve earned that. Just like (D.J.) Reed and Rock (Ya-Sin) are our two most consistent corners on the outside,” Campbell said. “But it’s not like our eyes have not been opened. All of those guys have gotten opportunities to go against good-on-good, the other ones. That’s where we sit right now.”

Thomas Harper, who is in the mix at safety, has been out this week but his ankle injury is not long term.

Ya-Sin’s strong camp has earned him the starting role opposite Reed, while the inconsistency of Ennis Rakestraw has likely put him in a backup role.