Lions Turn Heads With Re-Signing of Injury-Riddled CB: Report

Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley played just 2 snaps before suffering a season-ending injury during his first season with the Detroit Lions in 2023. But the veteran defensive back will receive another chance to play for the Lions.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Lions re-signed Moseley to a 1-year contract on March 5.

“Moseley injured his ACL during his first game for Detroit in Week 5 vs. the Carolina Panthers, one year after he had torn his other ACL,” Schefter wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “But the Lions are bringing him back.”

Re-signing Moseley comes somewhat as a surprise. As Schefter detailed, Moseley has played in just six games the past two seasons because of a pair of ACL tears.

But the Lions need depth at cornerback and were willing to take another chance on Moseley. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

In reaction to the Moseley signing, some Lions fans were pleased the veteran cornerback is receiving another chance in Detroit. However, the decision to re-sign Moseley left other fans a little baffled.

Lions Re-Sign CB Emmanuel Moseley

NFL analysts considered Moseley a rising star when he tore his left ACL during Week 5 of the 2022 season. In a cruel twist of fate, Moseley suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during the same week against the same team — Week 5 versus the Carolina Panthers — in 2023.

The Lions, though, signed Moseley last offseason in the hopes that he could recover to play a significant role opposite fellow 2023 free agent signing Cameron Sutton. But Moseley suffered a setback in rehab during training camp and then landed back on injured reserve immediately after his return.

This offseason, the Lions might not consider Moseley a candidate to start opposite Sutton. But the financial terms of the deal are likely worth the risk that perhaps Moseley will be healthy and return to his pre-injury form.

Moseley posted 42 combined tackles, 11 pass defenses and 1 interception with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2021 season. He had 33 pass defenses and 4 interceptions in 44 games for the 49ers from 2019-22.

Social Media Reacts to Lions Bringing Back Moseley

A lot of Lions fans on X offered the team and cornerback support after Schefter’s report. In response to Schefter, BoltGang Member posted a GIF from Best Picture winner Forrest Gump.

“You never know, let him cook,” BoltGang wrote.

Other X users referred to the signing as “awesome” or expressed that they “love it.”

Lions media members also supported the signing. MLive.com’s Ben Raven argued there were few negatives with re-signing Moseley.

“Can’t imagine the deal is too hot $-wise, so why not see if he can be that dependable cover CB he’s been when healthy,” Raven wrote on X.

Although they were generally in the minority, other fans weren’t so sure about re-signing Moseley.

Ben – OnePride wrote, “I mean, why.” When other fans argued there was little reason not to, he responded that Moseley, “hasn’t played in 2 years.”

Chiles Era Return to Glory joked that the Lions were “limping” it back with Moseley’s re-signing rather than “running” it back.

With Moseley’s re-signing, the Lions have added cornerback depth. However, Sutton remains the only cornerback currently on the roster who played more than 2 snaps last season.