The Terrion Arnold injury news is just about the last thing the Detroit Lions needed right now.
Their promising young cornerback has been placed on injured reserve and, according to multiple reports, is headed for season ending surgery on his right shoulder this week.
It brings his second season to an abrupt end and leaves a thin Detroit Lions secondary scrambling to survive a playoff push without its best cover man.
Terrion Arnold injury timeline and impact on Lions defense
This shoulder issue has been hanging over Terrion Arnold for most of the year. He first hurt it back in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals, with Dan Campbell warning he would be out for a long time before Arnold fought back to return sooner than expected.
In between, he also missed time with a concussion suffered against the Washington Commanders, and he briefly got back on the field on Thanksgiving versus the Green Bay Packers before the shoulder flared again. The Lions are choosing surgery now in the hope this finally fixes the problem for good.
Lions CB Terrion Arnold to have season-ending shoulder surgery. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/jsW5w4psdz
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2025
Arnold closes his 2025 campaign with eight games played, thirty one tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception, strong production for a 22 year old former first round pick who had already started fifteen games as a rookie.
Why the Lions may need Nick Whiteside to step up
The problem for the Detroit Lions is that there is no easy replacement for Terrion Arnold. Amik Robertson, D.J. Reed and Rock Ya Sin are the top three corners, but recent form has not been pretty, with Robertson giving up large chunks of yardage and Reed still searching for rhythm after injury.
Depth behind them is shaky, with Khalil Dorsey barely seeing defensive snaps and Avonte Maddox bouncing between slot and safety looks. That is why there is growing noise that Detroit should bring back Nick Whiteside, the young corner they just released and previously stashed on the practice squad.
Terrion Arnold R shoulder injury videos
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 1, 2025
-Hurt in Week 4 & 5. Able to return, but now getting shoulder surgery (presumably same shoulder) and out for season. pic.twitter.com/3gLPekJwQq
In limited action this season he has produced three pass deflections, allowed only one catch on five targets and graded out very well by PFF. Even ten to fifteen snaps a game from Whiteside could give this secondary a different energy.
With the Dallas Cowboys and their high powered passing game up next, and the Lions clinging to playoff hopes behind the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC race, they may have no choice but to see whether Whiteside can help stabilize a defense that suddenly looks very exposed without Terrion Arnold.
Photo Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
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