Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw was getting ready to begin as the team’s primary nickel cornerback in Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season.
During warmups, right before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the second-round draft pick sustained an injury. The injury marked the beginning of misfortunes for Rakestraw, as he made only eight total appearances in 2024.
“I was truly going to have a chance to play.” “That was set to be Tampa Bay week, and I was being promoted as the starting nickel that week,” Rakestraw stated. Many individuals were unaware of that. I got injured during warmups, which felt like a setback, a regression. Therefore, I just need to be accessible. It was somewhat of a redshirt year, but you cannot choose those circumstances. You don’t choose to feel pain; I never chose that for myself. I have always wished to be out there with individuals like Terrion and B.B, due to the intensity they bring and the kind of team we had. I’m going to take all that I observed and learned from them to improve my game in the offseason and become a better person and be present.
The hamstring injury persisted throughout most of the season, making his rookie year less significant for the Lions.
Injuries restricted his performance during minicamp due to a sports hernia he had in college. Following an intensive training camp, the injury issue returned and restricted his contributions to the team.
All I was doing was striving to compete. That’s how I ended up here, being competitive and determined as a tackler and strong. “I believe I demonstrated sufficiently that I would be able to show it in Week 2; it just didn’t turn out in my favor,” Rakestraw stated. “I simply remained in prayer.” Every challenge that faced me, ask anyone in the training room, anyone in the building, I handled it stoically.
“I continued on, presented myself and smiled daily.” “It simply didn’t turn out in my favor,” Rakestraw went on. “In certain areas of life, things don’t always turn out as you wish.” It’s no longer about that; it’s about moving forward. We’ve already been defeated; the match is finished. Now, let’s cultivate a new habit, a new physique and be present.
This offseason, Rakestraw promises to put in the effort to return stronger in 2025 and be more prepared to contribute to Kelvin Sheppard’s defense.
“I’ll be at the Star in Texas, where I prepared during my draft journey,” Rakestraw mentioned. “I have numerous resources, Kerby (Joseph), B.B. (Brian Branch), and (Terrion Arnold) T.A., and they possess many DB trainers that they will consult.”
“Physically, I feel fantastic.” I’m simply upset that the season concluded like it did. “I arrived injured, with a sports hernia; I was already in pain,” Rakestraw stated. “I arrived here, faced restrictions, and they performed excellently with me in the training area.” Injured my hamstring once more; they strengthened it until I felt fantastic. The season didn’t turn out in our favor, so I couldn’t show it. “It’s all right, I will return.”