Report: Lions Have ‘checked In’ On Free Agent Cornerback

In the aftermath of their disastrous defensive performance against the Buffalo Bills on “Thursday Night Football,” the Detroit Lions are reportedly interested in bringing in some other options at the cornerback position.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Lions have “checked in” on former Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II. Moore II, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts in the spring after the team failed to find a trade partner, is currently a free agent and available to sign with any team.

“Sounds like he [Moore] has got a lot of interest from multiple teams in need of a cornerback because of depth reasons and injury reasons,” Garofolo said on a segment of “The Insiders” prior to the start of the 1 p.m. ET games on Sunday. “The Lions amongst the teams that have checked in on Kenny Moore. I’m expecting the veteran former Pro Bowler to sign with a team in the very near future.”

Moore II was an undrafted free agent in 2017 out of Valdosta State, first picked up by the New England Patriots before being claimed by the Colts prior to the start of the season. Over the course of nine seasons with the Colts, Moore II played in 132 games—starting 111 of them—primarily as a slot cornerback. His performance in 2021, tallying four interceptions and 13 passes defended, earned him his lone Pro Bowl selection of his career. Despite being just 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, one of Moore II’s most consistent traits over his career has been his work in run defense, earning PFF grades of 86.2 in 2019, 80.5 in 2022, and 84.4 last season—ranking fifth among all cornerbacks in 2025.

Detroit may be even more shorthanded depending on the prognosis of Avonte Maddox after he suffered a foot injury in Thursday’s game against the Bills, and that could lead to some shifting in the Lions secondary. After a summer where Detroit had an open competition for the starting nickel spot, which appeared to be Christian Izien’s job before he suffered an injury prior to Week 1, Moore II could be the veteran help Detroit needs to get things back on track in the secondary.