Jeff Okudah‘s rookie season is over. The No. 3 overall pick will undergo groin surgery, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports, ending his initial Lions season after nine games.
This injury has bothered Okudah since his Ohio State tenure, interestingly, and has worsened this season, Birkett adds. Undergoing this procedure now would put Okudah in line to return healthy in time for Detroit’s offseason program.
Okudah has dealt with multiple injuries this season. He missed time due to a shoulder issue recently but has recovered from that malady. Overall, Okudah — the highest cornerback selected since Shawn Springs 23 years ago — did not play especially well this season. He allowed a 77% completion rate on passes thrown his way, leading a 118 QB rating figure on such throws.
The Lions were not able to use their post-Darius Slay cornerback trio — Okudah, Desmond Trufant, Justin Coleman — together much this year. Trufant has only played six games; Coleman has suited up for just seven.
It is a lost season for the Lions. Makes sense to shut him down and get this surgery done earlier. He is going to figure into the future for the next regime.
Shawn Springs. Haven’t heard that name in probably a decade.
He was good CB.
He was the pick that could have been for Detroit.
This sucks because he clearly was not developing. To have him come into year two at this point in his career development is frightening. I saw him play in college and I think tue talent is there but he was LOST at all times this season. Oruwariye has been the best CB on this team this season and could go down as one of Quinn’s beat picks. Unfortunately, early returns show Okuday to have the potential to be Quinn’s biggest bust.
Don’t you feel like it’s hard for all Rookies to excel at CB, Safety and LB positions in their first NFL season?
Absolutely. I would have expected Okudah to show some growing pains. I didnt expect him to look like a UDFA all year though.
I mean he was the 3rd overall pick he has played terrible I know he’s a rookie but he’s not good every team picked on him cause he couldn’t cover anyone
Surgery from being burnt all year.