The Detroit Lions have suffered another significant setback on defense. According to multiple reports, second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold has been placed on injured reserve, officially ending his 2025 NFL season.
The update was first reported by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, who confirmed Arnold will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery following the injury he sustained over the weekend.

Terrion Arnold’s Season Ends Early After Shoulder Injury

Arnold, drafted 24th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, had his second season cut short just as he was beginning to settle into a larger role. The young corner had already missed time earlier in the year due to the concussion protocol, making 2025 a stop-and-start campaign from the beginning.

Before being shut down, Arnold appeared in 8 games, made 7 starts, and recorded:

31 tackles

8 pass breakups

1 interception

He consistently flashed the elite coverage traits Detroit envisioned when they selected him in the first round.

A Crushing Blow During a Critical Stretch

The timing of Arnold’s injury couldn’t be worse. Detroit’s secondary has been one of the team’s biggest weaknesses in recent weeks. Across their last two games, the Lions have surrendered over 600 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns, exposing their thin depth at cornerback.

Arnold was expected to become a stabilizing force and long-term defensive cornerstone. Instead, Detroit must push for the playoffs without one of its most promising young players.

What This Means for Detroit Moving Forward

Losing Arnold is a massive blow for a defense already under siege. As the Lions work to stay in the NFC playoff race, the pressure now shifts to the remaining defensive backs — and to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn — to compensate for the loss of their ascending star.

Arnold’s rookie season showed major promise. His sophomore campaign ends prematurely. And for a Lions team fighting to keep its postseason hopes alive, the road ahead just got significantly tougher.