An injury setback has sidelined a Detroit Lions cornerback for the rest of the season. Now the defender is speaking out with a fresh update on his recovery.

Sharing on his Instagram, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. updated the Detroit fans about his health conditions. 

"Yeah, I mean, you hate it for the kid, you hate it. It's not his fault, just one of those tough deals," Lions head coach Dan Campbell. "All you can do is try to get it better and rehab, come back stronger and move on. That's all you can do," the skipper added. 

23-year-old Ennis Rakesstraw suffered a season-ending shoulder injury for which he underwent successful surgery. Ennis landed on the season-ending injured reserve list.

As reported by CBS, during a routine training camp on August 3, 2025. It appeared that during a one-on-one tackling drill, he overextended his right arm.

Ennis Rakestraw Jr. indicated that his focus is now fully on rehabilitation after undergoing shoulder surgery. While no exact return timeline has been publicly confirmed, the expectation is that Rakestraw will spend the remainder of the season recovering and preparing for a full return next year.

Ennis a 2024 drafted into the Detroit Lions in the second round (61st overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Missouri. During his career, he has played 8 games, recording 4 tackles and 2 assists. 

He was also named 2019 Defensive Player of the Year by the Dallas Morning News. In the Missouri draft, he became the highest-selected player drafted by the Detroit Lions.

What Rakestraw’s Injury Means for the Lions Secondary

The Detroit Lions lose depth in the secondary with Ennis Rakestraw Jr. on injured reserve.

The rookie corner was expected to compete for rotational snaps and special teams duties before the shoulder injury ended his season.

Detroit will now rely more on defensive backs like Terrion Arnold and Brian Branch to handle additional coverage responsibilities. The Lions may also evaluate other depth options during the season to maintain stability in the secondary.

Arnold played only 8 games for the Detroit Lions last season. He recorded 23 solo tackles, an interception, and 8 pass deflections. Branch on the other side played 12 games, recording 48 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks.

How will the Lions adjust without Ennis Rakestraw Jr.? Share your thoughts below.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Kalp Thaker