In the first quarter of the Lions divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, starting safety Tracy Walker was carted off the field and failed to reenter the game.
Following Detroit’s loss, it was declared Walker had suffered a season-ending achilles injury. With Walker now out for the season, the focus for Detroit shifts to finding a replacement, and they have options:
Juju Hughes:
Following Walker’s injury, Hughes stepped into Walker’s spot, playing 63 defensive snaps. Hughes failed to make any notable impact on defense, however, perhaps his most notable impact was his acceptable play. In his career, Hughes has primarily played on special teams. He earned his spot in the Lions defensive rotation with a solid training camp and preseason. His ability to play single-high in Aaron Glenn’s defense makes Hughes the obvious choice.
Kerby Joseph:
A potentially more exciting player than Juju Hughes is third-round rookie Kerby Joseph. Joseph is coming out of the University of Illinois where he was the star of the Illini defense. The rookie could be in line for a major uptick in playing time. During his time in Detroit, Joseph played exclusively on special teams in the first three weeks, even following Walker’s Week 3 injury. The rookie from Illinois offers range and coverage ability but had some struggles converting his collegiate skills to an NFL level.
Ifeatu Melifonwu:
A major offseason storyline for the Lions was Ifeatu Melifonwu’s position change from cornerback to safety. Sadly, injuries have slowed this conversion process as Melifonwu has been inactive for all three regular season matchups. Melifonwu remains the largest question mark for the Lions, as they are yet to truly see his capabilities.
Will Harris:
For the past three seasons, Harris lined up alongside Walker at safety. This season, the Lions moved Harris to cornerback, where defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, seems to like him. When at safety, Harris was consistently one of the worst in the league, likely warranting his move to cornerback. A move back to safety is unlikely for Harris.
