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The Detroit Lions defense had a season-defining performance against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but it may have come at a price. According to Rand Getlin, nickel cornerback Quandre Diggs suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the rest of the season.
Diggs has appeared in all 12 games this season. Though he only had a single pass defended this season, he managed 44 tackles. Over the last three weeks he played in exactly 50 percent of the Lions’ defensive snaps.
With Diggs out, the Lions will have to find another cornerback to cover slot receivers and tight ends. The Lions have expanded to more three-safety looks, so they may choose to use a player like Miles Killebrew to play a little more man coverage. However, Nevin Lawson also has slid inside before and Detroit could also bring back Johnthan Banks, who they waived on Saturday to make room for TJ Jones and Armonty Bryant. Or they could simply rely on a guy like Adairius Barnes, who has mostly played special teams for the Lions this season.
We’ll update he story as more information comes in.
UPDATE 1: The option to re-sign Banks appears to be off the table, as the Bears have reportedly claimed him:
I am told the #Bears claimed CB Johnthan Banks off waivers from #Lions. He was 2nd round pick of the #Bucs in 2013 from Mississippi State.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 5, 2016