East Rutherford, New Jersey: One of the position groups Lions head coach Dan Campbell mentioned ahead of the start of joint practices with the New York Giants Monday and Tuesday was the contested nickel cornerback spot.
Early in camp veterans Emmanuel Moseley and Amik Robertson shared first-team reps, with rookie Ennis Rakestraw Jr. playing both inside and outside, mixing in some first-team and second-team reps. And just recently safety Ifeatu Melifonwu started working there as the team sees if that's a position fit for him with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch starting at safety.
But just one day into joint practices Moseley suffered a significant pectoral injury that will keep him sidelined indefinitely.
That makes Robertson, who played both inside and outside the last few years for the Raiders but has played almost exclusively inside since signing with Detroit as a free agent this offseason, an early favorite to earn a significant role in the slot to start the season.
"Certainly, we know Branch can go and play that position if needed – I'm talking about kind of down the road, not today," Campbell said Tuesday. "So, we have options, we're not stressed, we're just going to keep working through this and we'll find the guy and the best combination that's going to help us defensively."
Branch started in the slot as a rookie last season and totaled 74 tackles (50 solo), 13 passes defended and seven tackles for loss. He also ranked second among all rookies with three interceptions, one of which he returned for a 50-yard touchdown.
The safety position can make a ton of plays in Aaron Glenn's defense, and the Lions think Branch can excel there. So at least initially, the Lions will look for other options in the slot.
Rakestraw is an interesting one to watch there. The rookie second-round pick has shown a knack for getting his hand on the football of late and the Lions like his combination of cover skills and physicality.
View photos from Day 2 of Detroit Lions joint training camp practice with the New York Giants on Tuesday August 6, 2024.
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (18) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jermar Jefferson (28) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during joint training camp practice with the New York Giants at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 6, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
"Yeah, he continues to grow. He's a pretty instinctive guy, he's got length, I thought his coverage has continued to get better and he's showing up on special teams," Campbell said Tuesday of Rakestraw. "I mean, some of those things we did yesterday, the gunner drill, it showed up at our place and it showed up here. The gunner, jammer work. He's competitive, he's highly competitive and has the ability, so we like his trajectory right now."
The Lions still have a month before their regular-season opener against the Rams to figure out the best fit in the slot and subsequently the best five-man pairing for their secondary when in the nickel, but the Moseley injury certainly hurts because he was playing well to start camp.
GM Brad Holmes went to work this offseason improving the talent and depth at the cornerback position for scenarios just like this, and the Lions still have some good options and time to piece it all together.
