At a career crossroads for the second consecutive season as he turns 31, former Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant seems to be in a better spot this year.
A year ago, following an injury shortened season with the Falcons, Trufant signed with the Lions — who were ranked 31st in yards and 26th in points the previous season. He never really got started. Trufant battled a hamstring injury from the opening week of the season against the Bears, aggravated it on Thanksgiving against the Texans and was put on injured reserve having played just six games.
This season, Trufant found a pretty enviable spot for a 30-something cornerback with durability issues after missing 17 games over the previous two seasons — a Bears defense loaded with talent in front him, determined to regain its top-10 status under first-year coordinator Sean Desai.