Lions optimistic in Ennis Rakestraw’s health after offseason strength building

Posted by Admin June 12, 2026 NFL

It’s been a rough start for Ennis Rakestraw.

The Detroit Lions‘ 2024 second-round pick has barely seen his NFL career come off the ground, as injuries have derailed his first two seasons. In his rookie year, he was set to make his first NFL start in Week 2, but a hamstring pull in pre-game warm-ups made him a late addition to the inactive list. After barely playing the rest of the season, he went into 2025 hopeful to make an impact, but a serious shoulder injury early in training camp ended his sophomore season before he even had a chance.

While not quite true, it feels like a make-or-break season for Rakestraw. He’s been healthy for months, and coach Dan Campbell praised the work he’s put in thus far.

“He’s had a good spring,” Campbell said. “He’s been out there every day, minus this bug that’s hit a few of our guys.”

Most promisingly, according to Campbell, is the body transformation Rakestraw has put in. The Lions’ third-year corner was considered undersized coming out of the NFL Draft, listed at just 5-foot-11, 183 pounds at the Combine. Given how physical the Lions require their cornerbacks to play, that wasn’t going to cut it at the NFL level.

So this offseason, to help Rakestraw navigate through a physically demanding season, they sent him to Detroit’s conditioning team to get him right. He spent much of the offseason in Detroit putting in the work and adding some weight.

“This year he had a lot of time to really not only rehab but work back there with (Lions Head Strength and Conditioning) Coach (Josh) Schuler and (former Lions Director of Sports Performance) Mike Clark when they were here, and certainly (Lions Director of Player Health and Performance Brett Fischer) Fisch,” Campbell said.

“So he’s had a little bit of bulk, he’s a little more dense than he was, that’s always going to help the body.”

Campbell was quick to point out that you can do all the prep work necessary and still suffer an injury. Sometimes it’s just bad luck. Still, the Lions appear comfortable and confident that Rakestraw has done everything in his power to make it through his first full NFL season.

“There’s nothing that would tell me that he won’t be prepared and physically prepared to go into training camp,” Campbell said. “Now whatever happens, happens, but he’s where he’s supposed to be right now in early June.”