Detroit Lions CB has been placed on injured reserve

Jerry Jacobs’ season with the Detroit Lions is gone.

After suffering a lower-body injury, the young defender will be placed on injured reserve.

The Detroit Lions have told cornerback Jerry Jacobs that he will be placed on injured reserve, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Jacobs was listed as out with a thigh/knee injury on Wednesday and was downgraded to “did not practice” on Thursday.

A player who is placed on injured reserve must miss the next four games. With only four probable postseason games remaining for the Lions, Jacobs’ 2023 season is done.

Jacobs had a difficult season with the Lions this season. He pushed and scraped his way into a starting spot in training camp, but he struggled right away. Then, two interceptions against the Packers, followed by another against the Panthers, appeared to right the ship.

Unfortunately, Jacobs’ difficulties in coverage returned, and the Lions eventually benched him in favor of a split between Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey. Jacobs has been a member of the special teams since then.

Jacobs is not under contract for the 2024 season, but he will be a restricted free agent with three years of NFL experience. It’s uncertain whether the Lions will be interested in re-signing Jacobs, but on Thursday afternoon, Jacobs tweeted an ominous—albeit cryptic—message that has since been removed. “Thank you, Detroit,” the telegram simply said.

With Jacobs out for the remainder of the playoffs, the Lions must determine their depth at outside cornerback. While Cameron Sutton and Vildor are projected to remain starters, Detroit’s depth is limited to Dorsey, Will Harris, and undrafted rookie Steven Gilmore, who has played in only three games this season. Chase Lucas and Craig James are both on the practice squad for Detroit.

The Lions have not yet made this move official, but when they do, there will be a vacancy on their 53-man roster. They could use that open position to sign a free agent (they are limited to four for the duration of the playoffs) or potentially promote a player from the practice squad or injured reserve.