Detroit — Here’s what I learned bouncing around the Detroit Lions’ locker room following the team’s 20-17 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Surprise rotation results in unexpected game ball
One of the least anticipated roster adjustments the Lions made in Sunday’s victory was a cornerback rotation, which featured the return of Rock Ya-Sin to meaningful defensive work after an early-season benching, plus the first consequential snaps for Khalil Dorsey since he broke his leg during the 2024 season.
The speedy Dorsey, who is one of the best punt gunners in the league, frequently subbed into the game on third-down passing situations. And he was keenly aware that his presence was going to catch the eye of Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
“I knew I was going to be the person that they were targeting, because, you know, you see me out there, I’m the new corner,” Dorsey said. “You’re definitely going to take a shot at a new corner. So I knew I was in the hot seat.”
Sure enough, that’s what happened.
Almost immediately, the Packers tested Dorsey with a one-on-one deep shot. There was a lot of contact between the defender and the receiver down the sideline, but the pass ultimately fell incomplete.
Dorsey couldn’t lie, he expected to see a flag when he got off the ground. But that play set the tone for the officials allowing both teams to be a little more handsy in the secondary, which Detroit welcomed.
The extent of Dorsey’s defensive role, which was close to 20 snaps, wasn’t something he fully anticipated. For the past few weeks, the coaching staff had told him to be ready for his opportunity. Then, after watching Dallas rotate defensive backs against the vertically aggressive Packers, the Lions opted to deploy a similar strategy to keep their corners fresh.