After the initial injury scare during the Detroit Lions‘ practice session on Thursday, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw has received encouraging news. He reportedly suffered an ankle injury, but the latest update suggests that it is not serious, and head coach Dan Campbell doesn’t need to sweat about it for now.
Dan Miller, the Sports Director of Fox2 Detroit, recently gave a positive update about the injury situation. The injury appears to be minor, and he shouldn’t have a lengthy absence as Week 1 approaches.
“UPDATE: Positive news on @Lions cb Ennis Rakestraw,” Dan Miller wrote on X. “After leaving practice yesterday, he has an ankle injury. Not expected to be serious. Status for tomorrow’s game TBD.”
The injury reportedly occurred during practice yesterday when he abruptly fell on the ground while trying to change his direction in coverage. Given that he didn’t even make contact with any player, it raised eyebrows, but the latest update tells a different story, as it is seemingly only a minor ankle issue. While he is recovering, it remains to be seen whether he is cleared to start the Saturday preseason game against the Washington Commanders, which will be taking place at Ford Field Stadium.
The 24-year-old featured in the Lions’ first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, struggling to make a mark. His time on the field was cut short after a collision when attempting to make a tackle.
Injuries Have Followed Ennis Rakestraw Since Entering the NFL
While he has had a rough start to his 2026 campaign, he has struggled with injuries since arriving in the NFL. The franchise selected him in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft with high expectations. He played eight games in his rookie campaign but missed the entire 2025 season.
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Following a shoulder injury, he missed the entire 2025 campaign. Rakestraw is now back in full swing, but the injury setback appears to be hanging over him— first the preseason game against the Bengals, when he left the field early, and then the latest practice session.
The injuries have slowed down his progress, even though he is entering the third season of his NFL career. In eight games, he has logged only six career tackles. The numbers were, however, distinctive in his college career, which prompted the Lions to pick him in the second round. He had 107 tackles and 1.0 sacks in 36 collegiate games. Should he remain healthy, there is a real chance he could return to his best, giving Campbell a reliable option in the CB room, which already has tight competition.
Lions’ CB2 Competition Could Get Crowded
Ennis Rakestraw could play as the outside cornerback as well as the nickel. Before the injury, he was building momentum practicing alongside the veteran D.J Reed and competing for the CB2 role.
On that note, he is likely to fight for a spot against the likes of experienced Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside. Given his recurring injury issues, there is also a question of whether he can stay healthy and do enough to earn a spot on the Lions’ final 53-man roster.
Lions Get Ennis Rakestraw Injury Update Before 2nd Preseason Game