More help is on the way for the Detroit Lions defense. The Lions have designated rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw to return from the team’s injured reserve list.
Rakestraw, the Lions’ second-round pick from Missouri, has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in practice ahead of Week 11. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated earlier this week that Rakestraw could return by the end of the playoffs.
He is now eligible to practice and get activated from the I.R. list when he’s ready. The Lions don’t need to file an official injury report until next week, when the team’s divisional round opponent and schedule will be known.
The loss of starting outside CB Carlton Davis has taken a toll on the cornerback depth chart. Rakestraw played under 50 total defensive snaps prior to his injury, having also dealt with a separate injury earlier in the season, as well as another soft-tissue injury during the offseason.