Oct 3, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (39) leaves the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
It was possible, if not inevitable, but the Detroit Lions have placed cornerback Jerry Jacobs on the PUP list.
As the Detroit Lions cut their roster from 85 to 80 players last week, it was notable they did not immediately place cornerback Jerry Jacobs (ACL) on the PUP list. Head coach Dan Campbell left the door open for that possibility though, which made sense given that Jacobs suffered his torn ACL late last season (Week 14).
Missing time to start the season felt likely for Jacobs, even if it didn’t have to be the minimum four games required by a PUP list (or IR) placement. On Tuesday, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Lions indeed placed the second-year corner on the reserve/PUP list.
Getting close to nine months out from his injury, Jacobs is doing well but just not quite ready to go.
It’s safe to say Jacobs is not thrilled with the move (NSFW language).
Jerry Jacobs was always destined for the PUP list
The Lions are lined up to carry at least one injured defensive player on the 53-man roster (Levi Onwuzurike) and possibly as many as three who seem to currently be iffy to play Week 1 (Julian Okwara, Ifeatu Melifonwu).
The pure nature of Jacobs’ injury means he wasn’t going to play Week 1, and he might not have played the first four games (at least) anyway. It did not, and does not, make sense to carry him as a weekly inactive for a month when roster spots are tight.
It’s fine for Jacobs to have his sole “irked” over being put on the PUP list. It speaks to his nature and mentality–core reasons he became an undrafted rookie find for the Lions last year. He will have a prominent role when he’s ready, likely as the starting slot corner with Tuesday morning’s move to waive AJ Parker.