Amani Oruwariye once appeared to be a key future asset for the Detroit Lions’ defense, but he is now set for a significant role against them in Week 6.

Back in 2021, Oruwariye looked promising, recording six interceptions that season, which ranked third in the league during Dan Campbell’s inaugural year as head coach. However, there were warning signs: Pro Football Focus rated him as the 89th-best cornerback that year (with around 250 snaps) and placed his coverage grade at 83rd among 129 qualifiers.

In 2022, Oruwariye’s performance plummeted. He lost his starting position midseason and saw limited action thereafter. He spent most of the 2023 season on practice squads for the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, appearing in only one game for the Jaguars.

After being released by the Jaguars at final roster cuts in August, Oruwariye was signed to the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. He has been elevated to the active roster for the past two games, intercepting a pass against the Giants in Week 4 and then starting every defensive snap in Week 5 against the Steelers.

With DaRon Bland’s potential return from injury, there was speculation regarding Oruwariye’s role. Bland was listed as questionable for Sunday, but reports confirmed he would not play, allowing Oruwariye to be elevated from the practice squad for the third time. If the Cowboys wish to retain him after Sunday, he must be signed to the active roster.

Despite a limited sample size (91 snaps), Oruwariye has only allowed eight catches for 77 yards on 12 targets, resulting in a 49.7 passer rating against him. With Trevon Diggs providing coverage on the other side, the Lions are likely to challenge Oruwariye frequently on Sunday, making this an important game for his future with the team.