3 things we learned: Jerry Jacobs continues to shine as cornerback injuries mount

DETROIT --

Cornerback Jerry Jacobs continues to shine at a time when Detroit needs him more than ever. Emmanuel Moseley was signed to a big free-agent deal to start at that spot, but missed the first month of the season while recovering from a torn left ACL, then reportedly tore his other ACL just two plays into his Lions debut on Sunday. And just like that, Detroit has lost two of its big free-agent buys in the secondary. But much like how Tracy Walker has played well for C.J. Gardner-Johnson at safety, Jacobs has come on strong for Moseley at cornerback. Jacobs has bounced back from a tough start to pick off three passes in his last two games, becoming the first Lions player to do that since Darius Slay in 2017. The last of the picks was particularly impressive, baiting Bryce Young into an ill-advised throw before jumping into the passing lane, all of which came in the type of zone assignment that gave him some trouble early in the season.

“Listen, Jerry’s doing a good job,” Campbell said. “He’s another guy who’s really come on the last three weeks. But I’d say this, too, (Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) did a great job game planning this week once again, and that was a heck of a call by him too. That was a bit of a bait call. Baited (Young) into something. It was the same look as what we had been giving a couple times before, and Jerry did a great job of making it look exactly like it was (the same thing), and then he adjusts to the throw, and it was just great. It was a great call, and great by Jerry understanding what we’re trying to get done.”

Good thing Detroit built up the depth in the secondary during the offseason, because they’re holding up for now. Lots to feel good about that, although there has to be some concern about the long-term implications of losing veterans like Gardner-Johnson and Moseley.

Hey, even Will Harris is playing well in the back end. The former third-round pick busted out at safety and never amounted to much after moving to outside cornerback, but he enjoyed an impactful performance while playing for another injured defensive back against Carolina, rookie nickel back Brian Branch. Harris hit Bryce Young in the backfield, stuck him in the open field and broke up a pass in the end zone, plus recovered a fumble that was forced by Alim McNeill. Harris finished with nine tackles overall, which trailed only Alex Anzalone on the team. The Lions are much better off with Branch on the field obviously, but once again, the depth prevailed in the secondary. Credit to Harris for the much-needed performance, and coordinator Aaron Glenn for continuing to find solutions for his top-10 defense. Yes, top 10.

The running game is so well-rounded, it continues to churn no matter who is up and down. David Montgomery has led the way obviously, posting back-to-back 100-yard games and scoring four times during that stretch. He’s the first Lions player with 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in back-to-back games since Kevin Jones in 2004. Impressive stuff. But when Montgomery missed the Week 3 game with a thigh bruise, rookie Jahmyr Gibbs came up big in the fourth quarter to help seal a win against Atlanta. And when Gibbs was out against Carolina, Craig Reynolds was highly productive as the RB2 behind Montgomery. He ran for 52 yards on just seven carries and scored the first touchdown of his NFL career.

What a journey it has been for Reynolds, who got just one scholarship offer as a running back from a Division 1 or Division 2 school -- Kutztown University -- and once thought his NFL career might be over after failed stints in Washington, Atlanta and Jacksonville. He was at home on his couch when the Lions called during training camp in 2021, just needing a warm body to help them get through an exhibition. Reynolds wound up scoring a touchdown that night -- before he had even managed to practice with the team -- and has earned the coaches’ trust as a backup over the years. He’s stepped in capably before, and now he’s scored his first NFL touchdown too, pushing the Lions’ lead to 42-17 and offering another reminder that Detroit’s running game is in capable hands no matter the body count on the injury list.

Depth, baby.

“Look, we’ve been (playing through injuries) for three years,” head coach Dan Campbell said. “So I guess at some point you get good at it, or get better at it I should say. I think this was something we talked about, really, was after 2021. It was we have to assume we’re going to lose a significant amount of our starters every year. Like, that’s the assumption, and now what do we do with the guys that we have on this roster and how do we utilize them, but yet still have enough to produce against the opponent? And so, look, we’re doing a good job of that. These guys who are being asked to step up are making plays for us. We’re not getting any drop-off, and when we need someone to show up, they show up for us.”