How CB Jerry Jacobs Can Aid Lions' Defense

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell explains how the team could use cornerback Jerry Jacobs when he returns.

The Detroit Lions are hoping the return of several injured players can aid the team, especially on the defensive side of the football. 

Defensive lineman John Cominsky is trending towards returning this week against the Dallas Cowboys. 

In the secondary, the return of cornerback Jerry Jacobs should provide Lions head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn an additional option to aid the underperforming unit. 

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Campbell expressed this week the coaching staff has talked extensively about how to best utilize Jacobs when he makes his return from an ACL injury suffered last season.

"We talked a lot about Jerry. We all feel like he’s got some flexibility in the coverage. The only thing is, as he continues to progress physically, is to get his legs back under him," Campbell said. "He’s doing a good job, and man, he’s all in, all out. And, it’s just making sure that as he continues to progress, that we put him in a position where he can have success. 

"That doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t be slot, it’s just he wasn’t able to go through practice in camp and run those. And so, I think the first thing you’d be thinking is outside is where he’d be competing at." 

After joining the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Jacobs started nine games, and began to show that he was a solid tackler, with emerging skills in coverage. 

"The good news about Jerry is, man, when he’s physically ready, you can take him to the game, because he’s going to help on special teams immediately, " Campbell said. "So now, you’ve got him to the game, and now, it’s OK, hey, you sprinkle him in outside or maybe we do feel good at nickel. But, look, he brings value to the roster at a minimum just to have on gameday, because he does so many things.”