Lions Trade Pitch Lands Pro Bowl CB After Injury to Star D.J. Reed
After suffering multiple injuries to their cornerback room in Week 4’s win over the Cleveland Browns, the Detroit Lions could make a move for a Pro Bowler whom several teams are monitoring ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
The Lions lost two of their top cornerbacks to injuries in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Browns. Veteran D.J. Reed had to be carted off the field
While Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday that he does not expect Arnold will miss more than a game with his injury, he had less certainty about Reed, whom he said is a candidate for injured reserve, despite the belief that his injury is not season-ending.
And with Arnold struggling over the first four games, it would be reasonable if the Lions felt they needed more help at the position with their sights set on another playoff run.
Could that push them to call the Seattle Seahawks about former Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen, whom NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said is a “possible trade target” for teams looking to improve their secondary ahead of the deadline on November 4?
“With #Seahawks star CB Devon Witherspoon returning on Thursday, teams are monitoring Pro Bowl CB Riq Woolen as a possible trade target by the deadline, sources tell The Insiders,” Rapoport reported Sunday. “Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available.”
Is Riq Woolen Trade Too Risky for Lions Right Now?
In the aftermath of Sunday’s injuries, Campbell made it clear that he planned to speak with Lions general manager Brad Holmes about a potential addition at cornerback.
“I think we would look for somebody for help,” Campbell told reporters Monday. “I haven’t talked to Brad yet about all of this, so we’ll discuss all of this,” But we may need somebody for help for practice, you know, at a minimum, so we’ll discuss it.”
Are they willing to give up draft capital for a risky investment like Woolen, though?
The Lions wouldn’t likely need to give up significant compensation to acquire Woolen from the Seahawks if they decided to move him. He had a breakout 2022 Pro Bowl season as a rookie, but he has been largely inconsistent for Seattle since then and is entering the final season of his contract, making him a potential half-season rental.
A realistic trade proposal would look something like this: The Lions trade their 2026 sixth-round pick (via Jacksonville) for Woolen and the remainder of his rookie deal.
The bigger question is whether Woolen would provide the fix the Lions need. Through his first four performances of 2025, Woolen has given up 11 receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets and is allowing an abysmal 106.7 opposing passer rating. He has also earned one of the
Even if the trade cost is low, Woolen might not make things much better for Detroit.
D.J. Reed is a Candidate for Injured Reserve for Lions
Campbell did not provide crystal-clear details on the injuries that Reed and Arnold sustained in Week 4’s win, but he did offer some encouraging intel on both corners.
In Monday’s press conference, Campbell confirmed that Reed would miss time and could land on injured reserve in the coming weeks while he heals from his hamstring injury, but he also made it clear that the “good news” is that he will return in 2025.
“I know you’re already gonna ask, [but] he’s going to be down for a while,” Campbell said Monday. “But the good news is this is not a season-ender. We will get him back, it looks like. So, that’s the good news. He’s a stud.”
As for Arnold, the outlook is even brighter — at least in terms of his availability.
“I don’t know,” Campbell said about Arnold’s status. “I don’t think this is a huge thing, but the question is: Is he going to be ready for this week? That would be really the question, and if it’s not this week, he should be back by next week for sure.”
The Lions (3-1) will face the Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) at 4:25 p.m. ET next Sunday.
Yankees’ backup catcher could be left off Wild Card series roster
The New York Yankees will play host to the Boston Red Sox this week for a three-game Wild Card series. The Yankees boast one of the deepest teams in the American League, but not all of their pieces will make the final roster for the Wild Card series.
Brendan Kuty of The Athletic noted that backup catcher J.C Escarra could be a candidate to be left off the roster. Escarra hasn’t appeared in a Major League game since Aug. 12, and is currently the Yankees’ third-string catcher behind Austin Wells and Ben Rice.
“It wouldn’t be outrageous to think the Yankees would carry a third catcher,” Kuty said. “Escarra is a better defender than Rice, and the Yankees might trust him more late and with a lead. But his inclusion seems unlikely. Rice has been good enough, and the Yankees might not want to take his bat out of the lineup once it’s in.”
Escarra has spent his rookie year in and out of the Majors. In 40 games this season, Escarra slashed .202/.296/.333 with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
The Yankees will take the next day to evaluate their roster decisions in a pivotal Wild Card series. New York struggled against the Red Sox this season, managing a 4-9 record against their storied rival, so they’ll need to figure it out now if they wish to advance to the ALDS.
