ALLEN PARK — Terrion Arnold went from a potential-season ending injury to missing only four practices for the Detroit Lions.
Arnold was back at Friday’s practice. The second-year cornerback had a brace on his injured right shoulder, but was going through drills with the rest of the team’s defensive backs to open practice.
He told reporters in the locker room on Thursday that the current goal is to return after the bye week against the Minnesota Vikings. Arnold got a second opinion that leaned on the positive side after the initial reports, and those came to life on Friday.
“Right now, I’m just trying to stay as positive as possible,” Arnold said last week. “I feel like with those different opinions and having different people look at it, like my second opinion went very, very well. Like I said, just trying to stay positive on it.
“Yeah (out for a few weeks at least). I don’t know how many weeks. My body heals fast. But just trying to get on the field with my teammates as fast as possible.”
The Lions are working through issues in their secondary. Cornerback DJ Reed is out until at least Week 10 on injured reserve. Safety Brian Branch is suspended for this week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And All-Pro Kerby Joseph continues to miss practices while letting his knee issue calm down throughout the week ahead of games.
Versatile defensive back Avonte Maddox has now missed a week of practice, including last week’s game in Kansas City.
In other practice news, veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader was back on the field. Reader missed Thursday’s session with a back injury. The 31-year-old was working with trainers off to the side yesterday, but was listed as a non-participant.
Lions left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) was also back on the field. Decker has missed the last two games and a ton of practice time this season. But his return to practice in back-to-back days is a great sign for his status ahead of Monday Night Football against the Buccaneers.
“Gives me a little boost so I don’t have to slide over there a lot,” Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said of Decker. “And the quarterback. I mean, just everybody. It’s good when you’ve got your starters. It’s a good feeling that you don’t have to go over there to that side and help out as much and get guys out, especially the backs and stuff.
“Or even just receivers or tight ends where sometimes they’re chipping, and they don’t get out as fast. So, when you’ve got your tackles, your starting tackles, it makes it a lot easier.”
The only thee players missing from Friday’s practice were running back Sione Vaki (groin), Joseph (knee) and Maddox (hamstring). Joseph has been dealing with knee issues dating back to training camp. But the safety has continued to play, notching three interceptions in six games this season.
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