It hasn’t been a very welcoming rookie season for cornerback Jeff Okudah. The Detroit Lions defensive back will miss his third game this season due to an injury. This week, he’s dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers.
Even when on the field, Okudah—taken third overall in the 2020 NFL Draft—hasn’t lived up to expectations. Sure, the rookie was expected to struggle early on—almost all rookie cornerbacks do. But Okudah currently ranks 122 out of 132 qualifying cornerbacks according to PFF grade.
His absence will leave the Lions with just three healthy cornerbacks currently on the roster: Amani Oruwariye, Justin Coleman and Mike Ford.