Lions coach: Terrion Arnold release 'unfortunate' but necessary

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that it was "unfortunate" but necessary when discussing the team's decision to release former cornerback Terrion Arnold last month.

Arnold, a 2024 first-round draft pick, was arrested on felony charges of armed robbery and kidnapping on June 24. He was cut by the Lions five days later.

"I addressed the team last night over that. It stinks," Campbell told reporters Wednesday. "You never want to let go of a player, especially somebody you have been around for a while here and drafted and all that. It's unfortunate. But we made the move that is best for us."

The subtraction of Arnold means the Lions will need to address the vacant cornerback position opposite D.J. Reed. Rock Ya-Sin and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. are likely candidates for the Lions, who also selected cornerback Keith Abney II out of Arizona State in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

"We feel pretty good in that room with the competition and those guys between veterans, young guys and ability," Campbell said.

Arnold, 23, is awaiting trial after being accused of being the ringleader of an alleged plot to avenge a theft in February by detaining and pistol-whipping the men he believed were responsible. But authorities said none of the victims Arnold and his co-conspirators allegedly kidnapped and attacked were involved with stealing items from Arnold.

Arnold was selected by Detroit in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Across 24 games (22 starts) in his two seasons with the Lions, he has recorded 91 tackles, 18 passes defensed and one interception.

--Field Level Media