The Detroit Lions created a little space on the initial 53-man roster without severing ties with any players. Per numerous reports, the Lions are moving cornerback Jerry Jacobs from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP list status.
Jacobs is still recovering from ACL surgery last December after injuring the knee in the Lions’ loss to the Denver Broncos. He was close enough to being ready to return that the Lions kept him on the active list, but the move now sidelines Jacobs for the first four games of the regular season.
Jacobs was a revelation as an undrafted rookie in 2021. He seized a starting outside CB role thanks in part to numerous injuries around the secondary and thrived. He was the second-best rookie CB in the NFL per Pro Football Focus grades and the top-rated UDFA in the league regardless of position.
The second-year player from Arkansas joins FB Jason Cabinda, DE Romeo Okwara, DE Josh Paschal and rookie WR Jameson Williams on the reserve lists that rule out a return until Week 5. Williams is on the reserve/NFI list, a contractual technicality, while the others are on PUP.
When Jacobs returns, it could be as the team’s starting slot corner. Jacobs recently advised me that he’s been learning the slot role and working on playing more inside. Last year’s primary slot CB, AJ Parker, is being waived.
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