USA TODAY Sports ranks the Detroit Lions' defense No. 19 entering the 2026 season. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's unit has fallen nine spots since USA TODAY's June ranking that slated the Lions No. 10.
A major concern for Detroit is its injury-plagued secondary.
The Lions released former first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold earlier this offseason. Starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch will miss at least four games as both were placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to begin the 2026 season.
Joseph, a first-team All-Pro and the NFL's interceptions leader in 2024, continues to deal with a degenerative knee issue that limited him to six games in 2025. Meanwhile, Branch is recovering from a torn Achilles that he suffered
in December. Sheppard will be leaning on the front seven to take pressure off its secondary in the meantime.
NFL reporter Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz had this to say about the Lions' defense:
The Lions are accustomed to fighting attrition battles, with injuries taking a significant toll on the team's defense for the last two years. Being significantly shorthanded to open a season rather than end it, however, is a fresh challenge. Between the release of Terrion Arnold and lengthy recovery periods for safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will have to be considerably creative out of the gates to compensate for his undermanned secondary. At least a defensive line that's no longer entirely dependent on Aidan Hutchinson can help lead the charge in the early going. - Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports
More optimism exists regarding the Lions' front, with the outlet highlighting two-time Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson as the unit's centerpiece.
Reinforcements inside should leave the line less dependent on Hutchinson. Alim McNeill returns and the development of former first-round pick Tyleik Williams gives the Lions a trio of disruptors across the line of scrimmage.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions tumble 9 spots in updated USA TODAY NFL defense rankings
