The Detroit Lions are actively seeking external help for a secondary that has surrendered 71 points in two games, with general manager Brad Holmes exploring veteran free agents and hosting emergency workouts. The Lions are among the teams that have checked in on free-agent cornerback Kenny Moore II. After a 41-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills exposed severe coverage breakdowns, the team has moved beyond internal adjustments to evaluate available talent on the open market.

Lions Check in on Kenny Moore II

The most concrete step taken so far is an inquiry into former Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II. According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, the Lions are among the teams that have checked in on the 30-year-old veteran, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts this spring. Garafolo expects the former standout to sign with a team soon, noting the high interest stems from depth and injury needs across the league. Moore brings a resume that includes 132 career games, 111 starts, and a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, offering a specific skill set as a slot corner who is also a willing run defender and blitzer. This interest signals that the Lions view the current depth chart as insufficient, particularly with Avonte Maddox leaving the Bills game early with a foot injury and Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph still on the physically unable to perform list.

Workouts Scheduled for Fuller and Mills

While the Moore inquiry remains in the evaluation phase, the Lions have scheduled formal workouts for a group of defensive backs this Monday. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the list of participants includes veteran safety Jordan Fuller and cornerback Jalen Mills, who previously played for Detroit last season. Monday. Fuller, a former Rams starter with 63 career starts, offers experience at both safety spots and a reputation for aggressive run support, though his recent years have been marred by hamstring injuries. Mills provides immediate familiarity with the coaching staff and positional flexibility, having played 65 snaps for the Lions during the final two games of the 2025 season. These workouts represent a due diligence process rather than a guarantee of signing, as the team assesses whether these veterans can plug immediate holes in the back end before facing the New York Jets in Week 3.

Defensive Struggles Fuel Urgency

The push for external help follows a disastrous defensive performance against Josh Allen and the Bills, where the unit allowed 41 points and gave up 248 passing yards. The Bills were converting third down at an 81.1% clip if one excludes the final kneel-down drive, highlighting the communication and assignment errors plaguing Kelvin Sheppard’s defense. While some analysts argue the issues are coaching-related rather than purely personnel-driven, the front office’s decision to call about Moore and host workouts suggests a recognition that the current roster cannot withstand the league’s top offenses without reinforcement.

Division Implications Shift with Bears Injury

While Detroit scrambles to fix its defense, the landscape of the NFC North has shifted dramatically due to an injury to Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings after a non-contact collapse while scrambling. The Bears have officially called it a hamstring injury. Head coach Ben Johnson confirmed the injury but stated the severity would not be known until Monday. Williams had been instrumental in Chicago’s Week 1 offensive explosion, accounting for four touchdowns in a 59-point performance, and his potential absence removes a primary threat from Detroit’s divisional rival. This development alters the playoff math for the division, potentially giving the Lions a reprieve from the Bears’ high-powered offense if Williams cannot return for Week 3.

This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.