The Detroit Lions had one of the most successful seasons in franchise history last year, not only winning the NFC North but securing the number one seed in the conference for the first time in franchise history.
However, after being decimated by injuries on the defensive side of the ball, the Lions ran out of steam, losing to the Washington Commanders in their first game of the playoffs in the divisional round.
The Lions are hoping that with a cleaner bill of health, they’ll be able to make a deep postseason run in 2025. Unfortunately, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was forced to leave practice early on Sunday.
There was concern that Rakestraw Jr.’s early exit would be an omen of another rough season on the injury front. Luckily, it appears that the Lions avoided a worst-case scenario situation, according to one prominent league insider.
“Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who left practice today early with an injury, is believed to have suffered just a chest contusion, source says. A positive outcome,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Contusion would be absolute best-case scenario for Rakestraw. He’ll be back very soon. Terrion Arnold likely had a pec contusion last preseason,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Rakestraw has been injury prone his entire career. Although talented he is frail,” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Lions can avoid another bad case of the injury bug this season.