D.J. Reed Still Out, and Detroit's Tryout List Tells the Story

Reed missed a second straight day of training camp Thursday with no explanation offered, and I noted it here. Now it's been flagged again Friday — still no clarity on what's keeping him out or when he returns. The Lions listed him as Active on the injury report, which doesn't tell you much when a player simply isn't practicing.

The broader picture is what it's been for weeks. Terrion Arnold is gone after his June arrest and release. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are both out. The depth chart at cornerback lists Nick Whiteside at the top, which is a fine thing to have on paper and a harder thing to lean on when the season opens. Detroit brought in eight players for free agent tryouts over the weekend, with Trevon Diggs headlining that group — which is the clearest signal yet that the front office knows the room isn't where it needs to be.

The Lions don't have a lot of margin here. Last season's secondary was already a liability in close games, and that 2-5 record in games decided by a touchdown or fewer didn't happen in a vacuum. Stopping a competent passing attack requires corners who can play. Right now Detroit is short on those, and camp is not getting longer.