The Detroit Lions made a handful of personnel changes for their Week 3 game against the New York Jets, and a pair of them earned more playing time moving forward after putting up strong performances.
Lions coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media on Monday morning following his re-watch of the team’s 31-24 victory over the Jets, and he noted that both linebacker Trevor Nowaske and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw played well enough in their expanded roles on Sunday to earn more time on the field.
Nowaske played in half of the defensive snaps—more than any linebacker not named Jack Campbell or Derrick Barnes, usurping the role from Devin White—and Dan Campbell was very clear why.
“Nowaske just does everything right. He just does,” Campbell said. “He’s been doing that now for a while, came in, had a really good camp, and he’s a very disciplined player. He’s grown a ton since he’s been here, and just turned himself into a real solid player. He just does things right, man. You know that whole thing that we talk about: be where you’re supposed to be when you’re supposed to be there? That’s him. He’s exactly where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there. He makes plays.”
Nowaske’s discipline was fully on display against the Jets. Campbell pointed to a play in the red zone, where Geno Smith pitched it out to the fast and elusive Breece Hall, and Nowaske was ready for the perimeter run play. He chased Hall down for no gain.
“We gave him that rep in practice the other day—coaches did a great job—he yawned at it,” Campbell said. “And then when we get in the game, same thing. He doesn’t miss a beat.”
With the amount of missed assignments and failed run fits against the Bills, Nowaske brought assignment-sound play that helped the Lions hold the Jets to just 58 rushing yards and 3.1 yards per carry after Buffalo rushed for over 200 yards.
“He’s going to continue to get opportunities because he’s earned that,” Campbell continued. “He’s a valuable special teams player for us, and there’s a role on defense where he can help us.”
As for Rakestraw, the Lions’ 2024 second-round pick was in the game situationally against the Jets. When the Lions moved to nickel sets, they kicked Roger McCreary inside and brought Rakestraw in to play the outside. Per PFF, Rakestraw allowed just a single catch on four targets, and he had an impressive pass breakup against Jets No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson.
“Rakestraw, I thought, showed up,” Campbell said, unprompted. “He’s going to get more ops here. I thought he showed up. That was promising.”
When asked about how they may expand Rakestraw’s role, he said the plan is still to keep him on the outside, but he wouldn’t rule out eventually giving him reps at the nickel, too. Ultimately, he just believes that because Rakestraw still hasn’t had a ton of playing time, there’s still a chance he can bloom into a valuable, regular contributor. He was even encouraged by some of the growth Rakestraw showed through training camp, prior to an ankle injury that sidelined him late.
“I think Rake’s got a chance, man,” Campbell said. “He’s got the ability, and he wants to do it right. He works at it, and I do. I think the more opportunities he gets, the better he’ll get.”
This week, both players will have their hands full with a Carolina Panthers offense that has been explosive at times this year. They are currently fifth in points scored, averaging 29.7 points per game and lead the league in passing yards per game (295.7).