It’s no secret, Terrion Arnold has had a rocky start to his second season in Detroit. Opposing quarterbacks are testing him early and often, and the results haven’t been pretty. Through the first three games, Pro Football Focus data shows Terrion Arnold has been tested often, 20 targets already, and opponents have connected on 13 of those for 233 yards and a score. His coverage grade of 44.0 highlights the growing pains he’s experiencing as he searches for steadiness in his second season.
But here’s the thing: the Lions aren’t giving up on Arnold. They’re adjusting.
Campbell Acknowledges the Struggles
Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t sugarcoat it when asked about Arnold’s rough outing against Baltimore.
“Yeah, look, there’s some things that I know that he (Arnold) wants back from that game the other night, that he knows he can do better. We know he can do better,” Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket (as quoted by A to Z Sports)
The Lions’ system asks a lot from their corners. They’re left on an island, play after play, against some of the best receivers in the league. Campbell made it clear that while Arnold is taking his lumps now, that’s part of the development curve.
“It’s why we acquire you, whether it’s a draft or it’s free agency, it’s because we’re going to put you on an island. And it’s not going to be easy, but that’s the task you’re given. And he’s a young player, and he’s working at it, and he’s going to get better.”
Amik Robertson to See More Snaps
That doesn’t mean the Lions aren’t looking for immediate solutions. Campbell revealed the team plans to give veteran cornerback Amik Robertson more run on the outside moving forward.
“Look, we’ll probably use Amik (Robertson) on stuff too. Amik’s a good player. So we’re going to mix it up a little bit.”
Robertson, known for his scrappy play and ball-hawking instincts, could provide some much-needed stability while Arnold works through the inevitable growing pains of an early career learning curve.
Patience vs. Pressure
The Lions find themselves in a tricky spot. They need production now, this is a team chasing another NFC North title and more. But they also don’t want to stunt the growth of a young corner they believe can be a long-term piece of the defense.
Campbell struck the balance perfectly: accountability mixed with patience. “Every young player, they have these ebbs and flows of their career or of a second year, things of that nature. And so he’s going to be alright, man, we’re just going to keep working through it.”
The Bottom Line
The Lions are making tweaks, not wholesale changes. Robertson will see more snaps, but Arnold is still in the team’s plans. He’s taking his lumps, but Campbell is betting on his resilience, and so far, Campbell’s bets on young players have paid off.
Jeff Bilbrey
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