Mosley underwent clean surgery on his left knee this summer and then injured his hamstring while returning to training in September and missed the first four games of the season. Mosley tore his left ACL last October in the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 5 game against the Panthers and has been struggling to recover for months.
Mosley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson were two key additions to the Lions’ second line this offseason, but are currently sidelined due to injuries. Gardner-Johnson suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 and will likely miss the entire season, but the Lions are still hopeful he can return by the end of the year.
Veteran Cam Sutton is the other free agent addition to Detroit’s secondary this offseason, while third-year player Jerry Jacobs is one of two outside cornerbacks this season. He started all five games at the position, but Mosley’s injury weakened the Lions.
Veteran Will Harris, who has plenty of experience playing outside, will likely be the No. 3 guy, while rookie Brian Branch plays the nickel position. Harris filled in for Branch on Sunday after Branch missed the game with an ankle injury. Detroit also has second-year player Chase Lucas and undrafted rookie free agent Steven Gilmore on its cornerback roster.
