The Detroit Lions’ secondary stole the spotlight in their matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With starting cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold sidelined, along with starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph also unavailable, few expected Detroit’s patchwork group of defensive backs to contain Baker Mayfield and a Bucs offense that had averaged 34 points over its last two games.

The initial defenders tasked with stopping Tampa were already lesser-known names like Arthur Maulet, Thomas Harper, and Erick Hallett. But by halftime, Detroit was forced to turn to an even more unfamiliar face to hold the line.

Nick Whiteside joined the Lions early in training camp. With the team battling injuries at cornerback during the offseason, he was largely viewed as a typical “camp body.” Unfortunately, that assumption seemed accurate when he failed to make the 53-man roster or practice squad once the preseason ended.

For most players, that would have been the end of the journey. Whiteside spent the 2024 season in the UFL, took his shot at the NFL, and came up short—at least temporarily.

However, when injuries struck Detroit’s secondary again this month, the team brought Whiteside back. After just over a week with the roster, he earned a promotion to the active 53. On Monday night, he saw his first defensive snaps when Rock Ya-Sin exited with cramps around halftime.

What followed was an outstanding showing from the 25-year-old Auburn Hills native. Matched up against Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate Emeka Egbuka, Whiteside surrendered zero receptions on four targets while notching three pass breakups. He recorded the Lions’ highest PFF defensive grade of the week (minimum 10 snaps) at 83.9—ranking fifth among all NFL cornerbacks in Week 7.

In this week’s video film review, Erik Schlitt and I go through every one of Whiteside’s snaps, highlighting his coverage technique and poise. We also examine additional defensive bright spots, break down Jahmyr Gibbs’ dominance, and close with final thoughts on the officiating against Tampa Bay.